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Thursday, March 7, 2024 Fruits Of The Spirit Scripture: Galatians 5:22-23 (NIV) – “But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control.” Message: Galatians 5:22-23 lists the nine fruits of the Spirit that are essential for Christian spiritual growth. During the season of Lent, we should reflect on these fruits and ask God to help us grow in them. Erin is my brother’s youngest child. As a teenager, she loved playing sports and being a cheerleader. At the age of fourteen, she contracted chickenpox, and her life changed forever. The chickenpox healed, but she was left with extreme fatigue, trouble breathing and a multitude of other health issues. For the next two years, she was in and out of the hospital; subjected to a series of tests, including experimental ones. The doctors concluded that the diagnosis was multiple autoimmune syndrome, which included Lupus, Sjogren, and rheumatoid arthritis. Erin now lives in a body that will not allow her to live a normal life. She is in constant pain, with some days being better than others. To meet and speak with Erin you would not know of her pain, she is so positive, joyful, kind, and has a gentle aura. Ask what keeps her going, she states, “God has always been with me. I can always feel His presence. I am never alone. I blame no one and I feel no despair.” Erin has been close to death many times throughout the years. In her own words, “I am alive today because God has a purpose for me, this is my story. He is my strength and my protector.” Erin is now forty-seven, married and has been blessed with a beautiful daughter. She is not just existing, but living her fullest life. Her favorite hymn, “It Will Be Worth It All When We See Jesus.” May we rejoice with Erin and reflect on how the “fruits of the Spirit” can enrich our lives and those with whom we meet. Prayer: Dear heavenly Father, help us to allow the fruits of the Spirit to grow and ripen in our lives, no matter what challenges are before us. You are always with us; we are never alone. You are our strength and our protector. In Christ's name, we pray. Amen.
Barbara Moss |
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