Most important of all, continue to show deep love for each other, for love covers a multitude of sins. 1 Peter 4:8
I’ll never forget the first time I walked into a little dinner in the town in which I live that’s known for there “down home country cooking.” Instantly the aroma of two smells hit me at the same time, collards and Clorox. Now I know that combination may not do much for your apatite, but it took me back to a place of fond memories from my childhood. The distinct smell of those collards cooking, along with the bleach mixture they used for cleaning off the tables, reminded me of the many Thanksgivings and Christmases spent at my Grandmas. She would have a pot of well-seasoned collard greens on the stove-top, which you could smell the moment you walked in the door, and you could also smell bleach from where Grandma had been cleaning up the house preparing for all the family to come over.
The sense of smell can take you down memory lane quicker than any of our other senses and I can only imagine that the smell of that burning charcoal fire took Peter to a place he wished he had never been. It was only a few short weeks earlier, while Peter was warming himself by a charcoal fire, that he denied Jesus for the third time in less than a few hours.
Now, at that early morning breakfast Jesus had prepared for the disciples there on the shore, it was Peter he distinctly had His sights set on. He had a great big plan for Peter and He knew that for Peter to step into this Divine plan he would have to know that everything was good between him and his Lord.
There under the aroma of those charcoals and fish, Jesus asked Peter three times if he loved Him. Why three? I believe its because Jesus wanted to counter the three times Peter had denied him. So, Jesus asked him three times, “Peter do you love me?” And, with each reply Jesus called Peter back into the Divine destiny He had for him, which was to “feed his sheep.”
Today, you can rest assured that no matter what circumstances lie behind you, your Heavenly Father is rich in mercy and love and He still has a great plan for you. Trust Him today with your yesterdays and embrace His love and grace.