Galatians 5:22
But the Holy Spirit produces this kind of fruit in our lives: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control.
Whether you are churched or un-churched, the law is good and right. I'm not sure why, but those truths were easier to live by when Russ was alive. They espoused our life together. It is who we were, it flowed. Finding myself living alone and finding my way in all things new, I have focused more on finding peace than anything else. But it's time.... it's time to live into more than just me.
How did I relate that to the Fruit of the Sprit? Think about it. Before you can love your family, your neighbors, the people you engage with while shopping, your work peers, groups you're involved with... you must first love yourself. You must first mold yourself, wrap yourself in and be an expression of the directive to share with others: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control.
I guess you could say it was a wake-up call to me today. It's time to open my heart. Eric did suggest that we let no one go before us unnoticed. No one is a pretty big directive! Does that mean every beggar at a stop light (there are generally 3 or 4 at every stop light in Tucson)? I think not. No one person can do it all, but with an open heart we can all do something.
Think about it.... what can you do for someone or some group this week? Use the spiritual gifts as your guide. Who lives on your street or in your apartment complex? Is there a way to bless them? When you get groceries can you help an elderly or struggling person? Can you share a friendly smile and a 'hello' with someone you meet?
Many years ago I heard someone say "enthusiasm breeds enthusiasm". That can
be used for each fruit...show love and it multiples. Share joy and smiles are hard to hide. And when you realize that hurt people hurt people, you have work to do... be patient, listen, be gentle and surround the person with faithfulness and show your own self-control in reacting.
There is one more thing.... don't do these things to be noticed or thanked. Do them to gift another human being. 'Be Jesus Christ to the World' as my Durango Church would say.
True story....
Russ became very dependent in his final years. Before I quit work to be his full-time caregiver, many in the church looked out for us. One day I walked in my office and there on my desk was an envelope with my name on it. Inside were TEN $100 dollar bills. A note said, please use this for medical expenses. I still cry when I think about it and I still have no idea who the gifter is. With that money I hired a counselor to come to the house and 'walk' with Russ. Russ was a Quaker and his Quaker friends came often, but I knew he had more questions. I knew he worried about me.
Russ often left notes, poems or prayers for me to find in the morning...this is one he left when he was nearing death and worried about me.
Do not pray for an easy life; pray to be a stronger woman.
Do not pray for tasks equal to your powers; pray for power equal to your tasks.
Then, the doing of your work will be no miracle; you will be the miracle.
Every day you will wonder at yourself and the richness of life which has come to you by the grace of God.
You Linda, you are a miracle.
Amen
I share this to show that it is not the gift, the words, the sharing... but the heart that's giving with no expectations.
Peace - Love - Hope