But the Holy Spirit produces this kind of fruit in our lives: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. There is no law against these things!
Galatians 5:22-23 (NLT)
Patience may be the fruit of the Spirit that shocks me the most. Sometimes I am shocked at the supernatural patience God gives me with my children. “You dropped the 500-count box of toothpicks on the floor? Accidents happen! Let’s all get dustpans and brooms and clean it up together.”
Other times I am shocked at my impatience over the tiniest things. “Put on your shoes. Put on your shoes. PUT ON YOUR SHOES!!!” It’s like the patience part of my spiritual fruit rots. Fruit flies and a half a worm when you bite into the apple kind of rot!
Sometimes patience is painful! The King James Version of Galatians 5:22-23 translates patience as longsuffering. Yes, sometimes it feels that way to parents -- including our Heavenly Father! -- and knowing how patient He is with me makes me want to reflect that part of His character to my children too.
Dear LORD, when I look back over my own life, I am amazed by the patience You have shown me. There have been so many times when You could have given up on me, so many times when You could have been exasperated and mad, but instead you have patiently helped me back on my feet and given me another chance . . and another . . . and another. Strengthen this part of my character too so that I can express patient love to my children in all circumstances. In this and all things, make me more like You. In Jesus’ name, amen.
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