May 14, 2020
Have you ever tried to grow fruit? It is not a quick process. We have a small lemon tree with several lemons on it growing in the back yard. But right now, they are just small green spheres. The little green balls stay the same size so long, I begin to think they’ve given up their calling. They aren’t yellow. They aren’t shaped like lemons. I only know they are lemons-to-be because that tree grew lemons last year. I have seen the proof of what I am expecting to happen. In fact, all plants are a kind of “wait and see” project and not all of us have a “green thumb”. My oldest daughter, Jodi, does. She grows plants of all kinds from ones growing in small pots, from “cuttings” placed in water and from seeds. Whatever she plants, it grows. Two weeks ago, she planted some bird seed. (I jokingly asked her what kind of bird she thought it would grow… Ha-ha, funny, mom.) She now has a pot full of 8-inch-tall thick healthy grass. Why is she able to help any plant grow? First, she is probably able to, because she wants to. She is willing to put in the work and learn the facts. She knows how much water and light each plant needs. She plants them in the correct soil and knows when they need repotting or pruning. If any pests attack, she has organic methods for getting rid of the bugs. Most importantly, she has the vision, the persistence and the patience for the job. Growing the “fruit of the spirit” could be an equally complex project, but fortunately, God is there to help us along. Galatians 5:22-23, in the King James Version of the Bible says: “But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, meekness and temperance…” These are the qualities and characteristics that we can expect to grow when we allow the Holy Spirit to fill us up and go with us through each day. As I studied this verse about the fruit of the Spirit, I was very interested to see all the different words used for “patience” in the various translations of the Bible. They include long-suffering, forbearance, tolerance, a quiet mind and a willingness to stick with things. I’m sure God looks at my “fruit of the Spirit tree” sometimes and thinks I have given up on my goal. I am so glad He doesn’t give up on me. He is tolerant and sticks with me. He sees what I can become and gives me everything I need to become better. We are all “a work in progress”, a little lemon tree with slow growing fruit that we barely recognize. Luckily, our gardener, God, knows just how to help us grow into what He envisions us to become. He has a plan for our lives and can bring it to fruition. (Fruition: the point at which a plan or project is realized.) We can help the plan along by praying and reading God’s word. (This helps to get our soil right and rid us of bugs.) In “The Message” translation of the Bible, Galatians 5:22-23 is written this way: ”But what happens when we live God’s way? He brings gifts into our lives, much the same way that fruit appears in an orchard—things like affection for others, exuberance about life, serenity. We develop a willingness to stick with things, a sense of compassion in the heart, and a conviction that a basic holiness permeates things and people. We find ourselves involved in loyal commitments, not needing to force our way in life, able to marshal and direct our energies wisely.” These words bring me so much encouragement! Smile and be joyful! (have an exuberance about life!)
Have you ever tried to grow fruit? It is not a quick process. We have a small lemon tree with several lemons on it growing in the back yard. But right now, they are just small green spheres. The little green balls stay the same size so long, I begin to think they’ve given up their calling. They aren’t yellow. They aren’t shaped like lemons. I only know they are lemons-to-be because that tree grew lemons last year. I have seen the proof of what I am expecting to happen. In fact, all plants are a kind of “wait and see” project and not all of us have a “green thumb”. My oldest daughter, Jodi, does. She grows plants of all kinds from ones growing in small pots, from “cuttings” placed in water and from seeds. Whatever she plants, it grows. Two weeks ago, she planted some bird seed. (I jokingly asked her what kind of bird she thought it would grow… Ha-ha, funny, mom.) She now has a pot full of 8-inch-tall thick healthy grass. Why is she able to help any plant grow? First, she is probably able to, because she wants to. She is willing to put in the work and learn the facts. She knows how much water and light each plant needs. She plants them in the correct soil and knows when they need repotting or pruning. If any pests attack, she has organic methods for getting rid of the bugs. Most importantly, she has the vision, the persistence and the patience for the job. Growing the “fruit of the spirit” could be an equally complex project, but fortunately, God is there to help us along. Galatians 5:22-23, in the King James Version of the Bible says: “But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, meekness and temperance…” These are the qualities and characteristics that we can expect to grow when we allow the Holy Spirit to fill us up and go with us through each day. As I studied this verse about the fruit of the Spirit, I was very interested to see all the different words used for “patience” in the various translations of the Bible. They include long-suffering, forbearance, tolerance, a quiet mind and a willingness to stick with things. I’m sure God looks at my “fruit of the Spirit tree” sometimes and thinks I have given up on my goal. I am so glad He doesn’t give up on me. He is tolerant and sticks with me. He sees what I can become and gives me everything I need to become better. We are all “a work in progress”, a little lemon tree with slow growing fruit that we barely recognize. Luckily, our gardener, God, knows just how to help us grow into what He envisions us to become. He has a plan for our lives and can bring it to fruition. (Fruition: the point at which a plan or project is realized.) We can help the plan along by praying and reading God’s word. (This helps to get our soil right and rid us of bugs.) In “The Message” translation of the Bible, Galatians 5:22-23 is written this way: ”But what happens when we live God’s way? He brings gifts into our lives, much the same way that fruit appears in an orchard—things like affection for others, exuberance about life, serenity. We develop a willingness to stick with things, a sense of compassion in the heart, and a conviction that a basic holiness permeates things and people. We find ourselves involved in loyal commitments, not needing to force our way in life, able to marshal and direct our energies wisely.” These words bring me so much encouragement! Smile and be joyful! (have an exuberance about life!)
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