Forgive the mess, for "love will cover a multitude of sins."

I found shelter under the awning of a small Ramen place on Robson. On my way to work and almost at the pier when the podcast overwhelmed me. Rather like a sudden thunderstorm, it demanded shelter from the rising emotions and a few moments for it to pass. A most beautiful mess was being unravelled through my ear pods. I needed a few minutes to wait for the emotions and tears to dissolve.

Ironically it was Sunday morning – a wintery pandemic holy day in Vancouver. The interviewer was looking deep into the eyes of Tammy Faye – the overly adorned eyes of this evangelical madame. I heard someone talk about her with kindness for the first time ever. I was enthralled. This character, this larger-than-life Christian personality, was full of heart? Go on. Tell me more.

The podcast featured an interview that aired in 1985 during the early days of AIDS. In November of that year, Tammy interviewed a pastor who had just been given six months to live. A homosexual pastor. While the haters were raging and finger-pointing around her, she proved brave and kind. I stopped and wept as I heard snippets of the interview. I had mocked her for years and criticized her TV evangelism show where she shared the stage with husband, Jim Bakker.

It was both confusing and wonderful to find a moment to love Tammy. My tears were for her and were laced with my own shame for being one of the haters. Her kindness in that interview is palpable.

Kindness prints the invitations, enabling more people to sit at the table with Jesus.

Kindness has a primary role in softening our prejudices. If love covers a multitude of sins, then kindness is the paintbrush in love's hand. Kindness often saves a seat for compromise and, in doing so, ushers in the power of love leading us gently towards a more profound understanding, despite all things not being perfect.

Podcast: Things Fell Apart by Jon Ronson BBC 4 https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/m0011sf7