Kim entered the kitchen to find Kaitlyn hunched over the table, head in her hands. “What’s wrong, honey?” she asked.

            Kaitlyn raised her head and nodded toward the cake layers in front of her. “It’s terrible, Mom. I don’t know what I did wrong. The whole thing stuck to the pan and broke apart. Ryan’s coming over tonight, and I wanted to impress him by baking him a birthday cake.”

            Kim moved closer to the broken pieces of cake. She pulled a tiny piece out of the center and popped it into her mouth. The cake, while unattractive, was moist and chocolaty.

            “Mom, what are you doing?” Kaitlyn exclaimed.

            “I wanted to taste it. It’s delicious, dear. I think it may have benefitted by a few more minutes in the oven, but that helps it stay moist. Did you grease and flour the pans?”

            Kaitlyn palmed her forehead. “No. I’m so stupid.”

            “Nonsense,” Kim said. “We all make mistakes. It’s part of learning. Now, let’s see what we can do about this cake.” Kim took a spatula and dug the rest of the cake out of the pan, then reassembled the broken pieces. “Have you made the frosting yet?” she asked.

            Kaitlyn went to the counter and grabbed the mixing bowl. “It’s here. But Mom, I don’t think this cake is salvageable.”

            “Just wait.” Kim began spreading frosting on the bottom layer, the frosting hiding the imperfections beneath. “You know, this reminds me of the verse I read in my devotions this morning.”

            “You had a devotion about frosting?” Kaitlyn asked, her nose wrinkling.

            “Kind of,” Kim said. “It talked about love covering a multitude of sins.”

            “What does that mean?” Kaitlyn asked.

            “It means, when you love someone, you’re likely to overlook their imperfections. If you look at people with a lens of love, you’re willing to forgive them more easily.” She finished frosting the bottom layer and placed the second layer on top of the cake. “Take Ryan, for example. What if, when he comes over tonight, he accidentally knocks over a glass of milk into your lap? How angry would you be?”

            “I wouldn’t be angry because it would be an accident,” Kaitlyn said.

            “And it’s not a big deal because you could easily clean up?”

            “Right,” Kaitlyn said. “Where are you going with this?”

            Kim lifted her eyebrows. “Remember a few weeks ago when you were walking home from school and were splattered in mud from a passing car? You were fuming mad when you got home.”
            “So?”
            “So, it’s a lot easier for you to forgive Ryan for accidentally spilling milk on you than it is for you to forgive a stranger for accidentally splattering you since you care about Ryan.” Kim continued spreading frosting on the top layer of the cake. “The outcome is the same – you have wet clothes you need to wash, but your attitude is completely different. God wants us to look upon others with love so we are more willing to forgive offenses.”

             “I guess,” Kaitlyn said. “Hey, the cake looks almost normal.”

            Kim pushed the cake towards Kaitlyn. “Why don’t you go ahead and finish this?” She washed her hands and took a seat at the kitchen table. “This isn’t the worst cake mishap we’ve had in this house.”      

            “What was the worst one?” Kaitlyn said, as she took over frosting the cake.

            “When Lauren was 7, she wanted a unicorn cake. I worked so hard on that cake, and finally got it right. You came into the kitchen and wanted it as soon as you saw it. I told you it was for Lauren’s birthday party. When I turned my back, you punched it right in the face, then walked away licking the frosting off your hands.”

            Kaitlyn stared at Kim. “I don’t remember that at all. You must have been furious.”

            “I wasn’t happy, but I understood how you felt. You were only four, after all.”

            “What did you do?”
            “I fixed it the best I could, and every time I made a cake after that, kept it out of your reach until you got older.” Kim laughed at the memory.

            “I’m sorry, Mom,” Kaitlyn said.

            “It’s fine,” Kim said. “It was easy to forgive you because I love you.” She eyed the cake. It’s looking great. Ryan will love it.”

                                                                                                ****

            Kim listened from the family room as Kaitlyn and Ryan entered the kitchen.

            “Close your eyes,” Kaitlyn instructed. “I have a surprise for you.”

            “OK,” Ryan said, with a smile in his voice.

            A few moments later, Kaitlyn’s voice rang out. “Open your eyes. Surprise!”

            “A cake! Did you make this for me?” Ryan asked.

            “I did. Blow out the candles.”
            “I can’t believe you made a cake for me,” Ryan said.

            “It’s uneven and crumbly,” Kaitlyn said, “but I tried.”

            “It looks perfect,” Ryan said. “I don’t care if it’s the ugliest cake in the world, or if it falls apart when I eat it. I love it because you made it for me. This is the nicest thing a girl has ever done for me. Thank you.”

1 Peter 4:8

Above all, love each other deeply, because love covers over a multitude of sins.

God, thank you for giving us so many opportunities to show love to those around us. Whether it is members of our family, friends, coworkers, or even strangers, please help us to love the people you bring into our lives. As we learn to love those around us, please help us to treat them with Your love. Thank You for never giving up on us and always doing what is best for us even when we fail. Thank You for looking at our mistakes and failures with eyes of love. And most of all, thank You for not only covering our sins, but wiping our sins away with Your sacrifice.  In Jesus’ name, Amen.