The Fruit of the Spirit





But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness,
Galatians 5:22 (New International Version - UK)


One day I decided to play a little game...and teach a little lesson at the same time. I made a paper basket. I made fruit shapes in appropriate colours. I called them love, joy, peace, patience...and so on.

"Come and pick a fruit," I called. "We will ask Jesus to help us to show this character quality to others today."

We had a lovely time...I was very pleased with myself for teaching something of lasting value.

Dinner time.

Emilie hops up to the table... she eats a grain of rice...Emilie hops down from the table...Emilie hops up to the table...she eats another grain of rice...Emilie hops down from the table...Emilie hops up to the table...she eats another grain of rice...Emilie hops down from the table...Melissa hops down from the table...Emilie and Melissa hop up to the table...they eat a grain of rice each...they hop down from the table...Emilie and Melissa hop up to the table...they eat a grain of rice each...they hop down from the table.

Lorna is not happy.

"WILL YOU SIT STILL AND EAT YOUR DINNER, GIRLS," she says.

Tear filled little eyes...quivery little lips...gaspy little breaths...

"Wh...wh...wh...what fruit do you think Jesus would like y...y...y...you to take and learn to sh...sh...sh...show others, mummy?" whimpers Emilie.

Game, set and match...Jesus, Emilie and Melissa.

"I think it would need to be patience and kindness, Emilie," mummy concedes.

The moral: be very careful when playing a game with a moral...it may just sneak up and bite you.

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.
Galatians 5:22 (The Message)