Good Fruit or Wormy?

“But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law” (Galatians 5:22-23).

Love, joy, peace, patience… I’ve done a lot of talking about and living out the fruit of the Spirit in the past three weeks, not always successfully. Because of the severity of his injury, my eldest son is not able to put any weight on his broken leg for sixteen weeks. Patience is definitely in order, his and mine. Being an active teen, he is frustrated with his inability to get around. Especially with the weather getting nice, watching others bike, skateboard, and rollerblade the prayer for patience is greatly needed. I need to be patient too, as the “new normal” seems to change day by day.

Galatians 5:22-23, the fruit of the Spirit, is displayed in the kitchen. During the renovation, a friend recommended an artist to create a design on tile with fruit and the verses from Galatians for the backsplash of the stove. Everyday I read the characteristics of the Holy Spirit. I’m reminded that I need help, lots of help. I think that’s the point. The traits of of the Spirit are manifested in the believer through the power of the Holy Spirit. I cannot obtain them by myself. I must pray and rely on the Spirit to assist me to become the person God wants me to be, growing spiritually. “Character growth is really personality development due to spiritual growth.”1 I pray for fruit that is appealing to God and others. It’s all too easy to have wormy fruit! Thank goodness I have the power of the Holy Spirit to help me.

1. Wildenberg & Danielson EMPOWERED PARENTS: Putting Faith First (Gainsville: Synergy, 2003), 57.

© 2012 Becky Danielson. All rights reserved.

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Photo credit: B. Danielson.