This week concludes a coaching/mentoring relationship I’ve been enjoying for the past six months. While I’m sad to see something so beautiful end, I rejoice in what God has done and am expectant about what He has in store next. I’ve learned so much from my sweet leader, and I’d love to pass on one of the most helpful and practical tools she’s introduced me to.
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Eden shattered, humanity longs for a life-giving orchard to rise up once again. For the past two months, we’ve been inspecting this garden God promises to grow in us. Let’s wrap up our study on the fruit of the Spirit: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, gentleness, faithfulness, and now self-control.
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The days are getting warmer, and the budding trees hint that winter has finally faded. What a perfect chance to bond with some girlfriends over a springtime adventure! All you need is a camera and a happy heart. Whether you choose to check off the items on this list or create your own, I hope you have great fun transitioning seasons.
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At the risk of sounding like a creeper, I adore watching older couples in love. Their passion is far removed from teenage puppy love or a flirtation at the bar between twenty-somethings. There’s a quality of richness and depth about it—endurance. Perseverance. Faithfulness. This hard-won romance is the stuff Hollywood movies should really be made of. Don’t we all wonder what happily ever after looks like? While there are many expressions of faithfulness, we find it nestled snugly among the outworking of God in our lives.
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Now as they went on their way, Jesus entered a village. And a woman named Martha welcomed Him into her house. And she had a sister called Mary, who sat at the Lord’s feet and listened to His teaching. But Martha was distracted with much serving. And she went up to Him and said, “Lord, do You not care that my sister has left me to serve alone? Tell her then to help me.” But the Lord answered her, “Martha, Martha, you are anxious and troubled about many things, but one thing is necessary. Mary has chosen the good portion, which will not be taken away from her.”
(Luke 10:38-42, emphasis added)
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I love a good underdog story, and apparently, so does God. We’ve seen how He has historically used the last things one would expect to bring His kingdom in our hearts—not brilliance or power or fame or determination. Against all odds, love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, and goodness win the day. This upside-down life of the Spirit gets better and better as the seeds He plants begin bearing fruit. Let’s move forward into a look at gentleness, the next underdog to wear a crown.
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Goodness gracious!
Well, for goodness’ sake!
Good heavens!
A kid growing up in the south might consider goodness as an expletive for church ladies. We, however, know the truth: we can widen our trunks and stretch up to the sky as the Spirit grows this particular fruit in our lives, yielding a rich harvest.
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Hello, slushy, squishy, sloppy April! You’re the gorgeous transition of snow shovels to umbrellas, and I adore how we never know quite what to do with you. Let the budding trees and returning sparrows call forth praise, the earthworms and moss sing for joy! It’s hard for me to imagine God without hands covered in dirt and face cracked wide with a smile at the sun He just settled into the blue. He had a habit of walking through the garden when the world was new, this wild King of ours. Spring echoes a bit of that eternity planted in our hearts.
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