Fruit of the Spirit

But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control…Galatians 5:22-23.

Last night I stepped back into time!

My daughter had asked me to watch her three small children...a two-month old, a two year-old and a three-year old who will be turning four next February…while she and her husband attended a visitation. 

I was quickly reminded of my days as a young mommy...caring for my own three small children…trying to meet their needs in a timely manner and so desiring to be the best mommy I could be!

My goal was to get dinner on the table for the older two children before the baby needed his bottle!  Needless to say, it didn't happen quite that way!  I was getting dinner and warming the bottle, when little Gabe started to cry…letting me that he needed his bottle right at that moment!

Wishing I had a couple of extra sets of hands, I quickly placed dinner on the table for the older two boys…and said a quick prayer with them!  After making sure Gabe's bottle was warm, I picked up Gabe and sat on the floor next to the table, hoping to restore a sense of calm to our evening! 

However, my daughter's oldest son was having a trying day.  His mother had called me to pre-warn me that he had been trying her patience all day.  And I have to confess, my darling grandson was trying my patience that evening as well!

I never liked disciplining my own children, so you can imagine how I dread the thought of having to discipline one of my grandchildren.  However, I know how important it is to instill Godly behaviors in these small children, and correct any behavior that does not bring glory and honor to God…even at this tender, young age.

So yes, I had to discipline my oldest grandson a few times that evening, which broke my heart!  Yet, I know his parents desire to raise obedient children, so I could not allow any behavior with me to continue that is not acceptable to his parents or to God!

This evening also reminded me of the nights I would go to bed when my children were younger…wondering if I had done anything right that day.  And tonight I was wondering the same thing…was I handling this situation very well…or was I failing??  If I am honest…I wish I had handled things a little better as each child needed my attention at the same time. 

These thoughts were on my heart as we proceeded with our evening.  Once all three boys were bathed, Gabe took the rest of his bottle and fell asleep almost immediately in my arms!

After placing this little bundle of joy in his swing, I headed downstairs to spend a little time with the older two boys before bedtime.  We watching a little TV, read books, prayed and then it was time for bed.

Unfortunately, my oldest grandson has been having trouble sleeping in their new home.  I was hoping and praying that he would get a much-needed good nights rest this evening.  I knew he was tired and felt this is exactly what he needed!

When he asked me if I would lay with him, I couldn't resist.  We chatted for a few moments…prayed again…and talked about fun things he could dream about as he fell asleep.  

As he snuggled next to me, I prayed over him…asking God to calm his heart...to help him to fall asleep quickly each night…and to rest peacefully throughout the night. 

As I was praying for him, I felt led to pray that he would be filled with the Fruit of the Spirit. But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control...Galatians 5:22-23. 

It wasn't too long before I heard his steady breathing, and I knew it was safe to slip quietly from his room.

As I thought about my prayer time with my oldest grandson, I realized I shouldn't only be praying for him to be filled with the Fruit of the Spirits!  Shouldn't I be asking God to fill me with the Fruit of the Spirit as well?  I know that in my own life there is always room for more love…joy…peace...patience…kindness…goodness…faithfulness...gentleness...and self-control.

We face situations each day that will stretch us…requiring us to be Christ-like in our behaviors.  I want my life to be so full of God that I immediately respond to situations with love…with joy...with peace…and all of the other wonderful qualities that God desires to instill in my life.

In addition, I want to model those qualities to my children...to my grandchildren, so it is important that I pray for those fruits in my own life. 

Dear Heavenly Father...I pray that you will each of us with your love...joy...peace...patience…kindness...goodness...faithfulness...gentleness...and self-control!  It's not just our grandchildren that need to fill their lives with these precious qualities, but each of us do, Lord!