Here is a picture of our cherry tree, actually a couple of pictures.
Hopefully you can see the red cherries that are forming on the tree. This tree was already here when we came and last year only had a few cherries on it. This year there are heaps more.
Some of the fruit is full and plump and turning red but some are a bit withered and brown.
This reminds me of my own fruit of the Spirit, sometimes it is full and plump and sometimes it seems withered and brown.
It says in…
Galatians 5:22 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law.
At the moment with families having just celebrated thanksgiving my thankfulness fruit is definitely plump. Even though in Australia it isn’t something we celebrate, I have been constantly reminded to be thankful for all things, at all times for all that God has given us.
Sometimes my patience is the withered fruit, and sometimes my gentleness leaves a lot to be desired.
Writing this blog has definitely helped my fruits ripen. I have been looking into more of Gods word and what is says about the different issues that I write about. This writing thing has encouraged me to try harder to walk the talk I am talking (or writing), to develop those fruits that I struggle with.
I find now that I am catching myself more often with my tone of voice and my attitude, I am trying to be more gentle and caring of my children.
I am definitely not perfect and my fruits are not always ripe but I know that God is there for me leading me with His word and His Spirit as I struggle daily to show my family how much I do love them. God is ripening and plumping up my fruit, fruit to be given in service to Him.
What fruits do you have trouble keeping plump, remember we are all the same, imperfect people with a perfect God.
This post is linked up here…
Oh how my fruits grow and wither in different seasons! I love that you recognise the growth that doing your blog has provided. I forget sometimes that these blogs are indeed an opportunity to learn and grow whether reading or writing them.
Thank you for sharing today 🙂
Thanks Tania, for your thoughtful comment. I am finding that this blogging thing is really helping me keep on track and reminding me of how I should be living my life. Blessings
What a great picture of how we need the fruit of the spirit to be full, ripe and delicious. And yes sometimes things get a little dried up and barren.
I find writing also helps me in paying attention to God and watching everything He shows me.
I would love you to link to Sunday Stillness.
http://www.janiscox.com/sunday-stillness-how-to-team-up-with-god/
blessings,
Janis
Following you from Playdates with God.
Thanks for your comment Janis and the invitation. Blessings
Yes, and it seems different fruits seem to thrive in some seasons while others lie dormant. Maybe in this regards, it’s not so much a “bad” thing as a natural rhythm of grace working in us at its own pace. I’ve certainly found writing to help nurture my growth as a person, as you’ve said here. It’s a beautiful, sometimes weighty thing, isn’t it? Thank you for sharing with us.
Thanks Amber for your lovely comment and for taking the time. Blessings
I take a lot of comfort in John 15 and how it indicates how attentive God is to helping us to be fruitful. He so good to us.
Blogging can both help me and drain me spiritually. It is encouraging, but it’s a lot to keep up with. I find listening to online sermons throughout the week helps the most. And connecting with other like-minded individuals.
Yes you are right about it being a lot to keep up with, but I am enjoying the connections I am making, like yourself. Thanks for your comment. Blessings
Love. Joy. Patience. Kindness. Goodness. Gentleness. Self Control.
Fruit needs to be watered and tended. I never appreciate the analogies until I had a few fruit trees of my own. When the fruit would ripen and the leaves would fall, it seemd cruel to me to cut back the branches. In the spring, knocking off some of the fruit to make room for better fruit… Seems counter productive.
Yet, the master gardener knows what He is doing. He loves us, tends us, waters us, and lovingly prunes us as well.
Oh so true, so true. Thanks for your comment Bekki, blessings
Very thoughtful, I coincidentally taught my Sunday school kids the fruits of the spirit. I used fruits as a tip for them to remember the 9 fruit of the spirit. Thanks a lot for sharing.
http://purposefulandmeaningful.blogspot.com
Thanks Ifeoma, blessings.