I recently contemplated quitting something because it wasn’t going well………and found myself sitting on a bench in the garden, staring into space and contemplating that.  I heard a small voice ask, “What Fruit of the Spirit could I use right now?”

“The Fruits of the Spirit are Love, Joy, Peace, Patience, Kindness, Goodness, Faithfulness, Gentleness and Self Control. Against these there is no law.”                    Galatians 5:22.

I ran through the list in my head – fully expecting (and probably planning) to stop at patience………  Nope, made it almost all the way through the list with no ‘Ah hah moment’.  Then, there it was, as Mum used to say, “Plain as the nose on yer face”.

Faithfulness

Stay steady and true to yourself and it will be well.

Don’t walk away because it is difficult, walk away when it is not good for you.

There is a difference.

It was profound for me to realize that the Fruit of the Spirit next up in my blog-a-rama was what I needed to learn about in that very moment.  After I winced a bit at the harsh truth in the answer I had been searching for, I got up and started to leave the garden for the day.  No surprise, I encountered two people on the way to my car who confirmed that I still had something to contribute to this thing I was thinking about quitting.  Pretty cool, eh?

I am sure most folks have many examples of times when someone believed in them and guided them – even when they didn’t believe in themselves.  It has been a lot like that for me over the years.   Thank you to those who have gone before me who did–and those still here who continue to–show me unconditional love.  Sip, sigh.  Good morning to all of you.

• Maybe it was in the form of a little tap on the shoulder that helped me redirect.
• Maybe it was the stronger nudge that gave me a “slap my forehead” kind of moment.
• Maybe it was an “Atta Girl” when I least expected it.
• Maybe it was sitting by my bedside because that was all that could be done and it was enough.
• Maybe it was holding me and telling me that all would be well, I just needed to have Faith.

I simply smile when I think of another person in my life who parented me so lovingly.  This song is dedicated to my late Father in Law, who passed away at the end of October, 2011.  Even though I only had him in my life for 11 years, it feels like he always was and always will be with me.   He was just so much the “I’m there for you” kind of guy.  He embodied, for me, every Fruit of the Spirit – his Faithfulness to family was mighty.  We encounter many people along the way who sweeten the journey and ease the burden, don’t we? Keep the Faith – those amazing people are everywhere.

Have a listen to this beautiful song, hopefully with a hot cuppa on this cold November day. 🙂  Then ask yourself, “Who am I thinking of?”