A garment of love...

"For the man and his wife the Lord God made leather garments, with which he clothed them."
Genesis 3:21

Today's first reading is the story of Adam and Eve in the garden. Eve is tricked by the serpent, who is described as "crafty," which is a fun description. Eve eats the apple, gives some to Adam, and yada, yada, yada, we're all doomed. But, if we read a bit further in the chapter, after Adam and Eve have made themselves fig leaf outfits and are hiding from God, we see that God makes them leather garments to cover themselves. God, even though they sinned against God, is helping them to heal from their own sin. God recognizes how their sin has harmed them, making them aware of their nakedness and inadequacy and God tries to heal that, right then and there. I have the most delightful mental picture of God sitting at a sewing machine, fervently sewing these garments! (Who's "crafty" now, serpent?) I sort of wish THAT picture would have been planted in my mind as a young child, instead of the emphasis on Adam and Eve's sin...But that's just me. Blessings on your February weekend and remember: don't wallow in your guilt and sin. God is sewing for you a garment of love and forgiveness. Love, heidi