Eatin' Some Good Fruit

Lately I’ve been feeding on some good fruit—fruit of the Spirit. In the book of Galatians, the bible talks about the fruit of the Sprit; that if you’ve accepted God’s Son, Jesus, as your savior, the Holy Spirit lives within you, and through the Holy Spirit (i.e. God), you are entitled to these fruits. As my bible puts it, “Against such things there is no law.” Galatians 5:22 lists the fruit of the Spirit as love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. Pretty good qualities to have, if you ask me.

I’ve been praying very hard lately that God would fill me with His Holy Spirit so that I could maintain His “fruit,” mainly peace and joy, through what is a very stressful time in my life. We recently gave birth to another little girl and since her birth, my husband and I have decided to relocate our precious family to another city for a job opportunity. So in between adjusting to life with three children, I am also preparing to sell a home that I love and leave behind so much to which we’ve grown accustomed.

I could let this season of life be sad and stressful, however, this is a season we strongly believe is God’s will for us. Therefore I chose to let the Holy Spirit fill me so that I can find peace and joy even amongst the chaos…

…and it is working! Even in the midst of 3am feedings, and the boxes piled high, and all the eight year old dust bunnies that are popping out from hidden places, I am at peace. I am able to enjoy this time in my life because I believe this is God’s plan for us and I know that I can trust Him to provide all that we need.

Even in the terrible housing market, He will bring a buyer for our home and prepare for us a new home in our new city. He will allow me the time to pack all of our family’s belongings all while caring for three children under the age of four. He will enable me to be the mother my children need me to be even though I feel as though I am neglecting them with all the demands a big move brings. Sure at times, guilt sets in…but did you notice? Guilt is not one of God’s delicious fruits! Instead, I know that God loves my children even more than I do and that He has plans to grow all of us - my husband, my children, and me - through this experience.

God has called me to be a new mom again and to move our family, all at the same time. Though that may mean my older toddlers are left to entertain themselvs more than usual, I can find peace trusting that He is using this time to mold them to be who He wants them to be. I can stand firm knowing that He will sustain me (Isaiah 46:4) and though Him, I can do all things (Philippians 4:13).

Is life getting tough? Tired of the stresses and the chaos? Try eating some good fruit!