After nine months of silence, I saw something today that may be worth sharing. 

(BTW, if you've been wondering whether I dropped off the planet, the answer is "no". . . But I did have a situation arise which made me hesitant to write.  It's pretty disconcerting when you discover that there are folks out there who would use your blog with hostile intent!)

Anyway, on to the story.  Some neighborhood children, who had previously requested and received permission, were gleefully picking rosy red apples off our apple tree today.  We have plenty to go around, so it was merely an interesting experience to watch them, seeing how carefully they looked for the best apples.  The purpose?  Eating!  Right then.  Warm from the tree.  Perfect food for a gorgeous autumn day.

As I pondered this little vista, I suddenly thought about the purpose of fruit.

Do you suppose that an apple tree bears fruit just so we can gaze at the perfectly red orbs and say, "Wow, what gorgeous fruit!"?

Or, does an apple tree find its highest purpose in producing fruit which can be picked and eaten?

Jesus cursed the fig tree that wasn't bearing fruit. . . Which gives us insight into its purpose.

I know, I know.  This is SO simple.  Ridiculously simple.  The fruit is there, hanging on the tree, so we can pick and eat it.

Right.

Now, think about the fruit of the Spirit.  He grows these increasingly mature and ripe fruits in us of love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. 

Are they there so that others can stand from afar and admire how wonderful we look?

Or are they there so that others -- including our children and spouses -- can pick and eat them as they have need?

So, for instance, when my son is being a growly bear, would there be gentleness and patience available in me for him -- to the point where it was tangible and satisfying to him?

If my daughter was pushing all of my buttons, would there be a large enough portion of self-control that she could really taste its reality?

If my life's circumstances are debilitating and hard, is there enough of the Spirit's joy in me that the rest of the family (myself included) can be encouraged and refreshed to continue to trust God's plan for our lives?

It's just a thought.

And it coincides with what Jesus said in John 15:

"Abide in Me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself, unless it abides in the vine, neither can you, unless you abide in Me."

Blessings,

Diana
Who will be happy to share again from time to time. . .