fruits of the spirit

The journey of thought through the mind is an interesting process...how one thing so gracefully unfolds into the other. There are no clear lines of distinction that separate how we get from one point to the next, but we can usually remember if we back track our steps of thought and this is how my day began-thinking about thinking...I like to lay in bed for a while after I wake up just to give my mind time to wander through its own randomness. It's always a good quiet time for me to pray and be thankful, because I am renewed from rest and the day ahead is promising. This morning I was concentrating on The Fruits of the Spirit in Galatians (5:22), probably because I have them in picture form on my bedroom wall, but nevertheless each "fruit" came to me in abundant grace. One unfolded into the other... ~~lovejoypeacepatiencekindnessgoodnessfaithfulnessgentlenessself-control~~I thought about how there are no laws against these things and how they are given free reign to grow and flourish and how I am so truly blessed to have touched them, tasted them and allowed them to become such an influence in my life.

Love allows me to know the deepness of my own heart. It challenges me to be both vulnerable and strong. Through it I have developed recognition of sacrifice and forgiveness in myself and others.

Joy allows that love to resonate within me, to be a song that never stops and I have come to appreciate its presence in my life, probably more so now that I'm older.

Peace is a result of that joy...it is a union of acceptance and tranquility, a fruit I rely heavily on when days are filled with chaos.

Patience is probably the most productive fruit for me. It delivers me unto all others at a pace I cannot control. It allows time to be the teacher. It delivers appreciation for simplicity and it always produces growth and self-awareness.

Kindness is always a gentle reminder that ALL things need nurturing. It really doesn't take much effort to be kind and it always comes back. I love kind words, kind deeds, and kind thoughts....they are gifts in and of themselves.

Goodness is something I try so hard to see in everyone. I believe that all people have a ribbon of it running through their being and sometimes it just takes a little kindness for it to come out...but it is capable of great things once it is exposed.

Faithfulness is at the root of everything for me. It strips everything away and reveals my willingness to adhere, persevere, and be disciplined in all of my beliefs. It is the very substance of friendship and faith. With it I am truly me, without it I feel lost.

Gentleness reminds me to demonstrate care when I am dealing with the nature of others...to handle their thoughts and feelings as preciously as I handle my own.

Self-Control serves as a reminder that I am responsible for all things pertaining to myself. The food I eat, the words coming from my mouth, and the attitudes I choose to carry throughout the day. This "free will" of sorts can truly make me see more clearly God's intentions and my interaction with them.

All of these "Fruits of the Spirit" are important to me and from day to day the meanings change, but today I am thankful to have began my day with them and I hope you have time to meditate on what they each mean for you...