FRUIT APPEARS

fruit (noun): the effect or consequence of an action; result, yield, product 

appears (verb): becomes evident, shows up 

“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…” Gal. 5:22

Love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, gentleness, faithfulness, and self-control. These “fruits of the spirit” sound so nice, so needed in this angry, stressed world.

So, I’m hoping for these fruits in my life. Struggling for them sometimes. Trying and failing to put fruit on my own tree.

We visited a beautiful Eastern Washington pumpkin farm recently. The old-fashioned wagon ride through the orchard was the best part. We played under the branches, taking pictures of the littles and letting them taste the apples fresh off the trees. At one point, I noticed the youngest pick up an apple from the ground and reach with it, trying to put it back on the tree it had fallen from.

He didn’t like it when he couldn’t make the apple stick to the tree.

And I don’t like it when I can’t make patience stick to me. Or peace. Or joy. Or any of the things that are supposed to reveal God in my life.

At school right now, it’s especially hard. The behaviors that some of my kindergartners display take more energy and patience than I have. I desperately want to give them all the gentleness and kindness that they need from me, but I cannot make it happen all day, every day. I get crabby on my way home as the exhaustion sets in. I want to bring joy, bring goodness, bring peace and love to my family, but I’m not very fruitful when I’m tired.

But maybe this verse can help me remember that I am not the one in charge of production.

“he brings gifts into our lives…” 

The Holy Spirit–the loving, powerful, creative, force that lives inside of us–brings the gifts of fruit. He plants the seeds, tends to our hearts, nourishes us with rich soil (mixed with some stinky fertilizer sometimes), and keeps us well-watered. He is our master gardener, and it is his hand that makes everything good in us grow from tiny seeds to delicate blossoms to ripe, delicious produce.

Growth doesn’t depend on us handling everything perfectly.

Growth doesn’t depend on our physical or emotional strength.

Growth doesn’t depend on how hard we are trying. 

Because growth doesn’t depend on us.

Yes, we pray and desire to show the characteristics of Jesus to our world. But God is the one who actually makes them appear in us. Our job is to allow him to have his way, to stop trying to put fruit on our own trees and lean into him.

He will provide everything we need.

Invite Him In: Can you thank him for the seeds he has planted inside of you? Can you let him take care of your heart and nourish your soul with his love? Ask him to help you to live his way and trust him to do the work. You can rest in the hands of our faithful gardener who is growing beautiful fruit on the tree of you.