Spoiled Fruit

By Cynthia Ruchti –

My daughter cracks me up. Her sense of humor, like her two brothers’, has grown more acute and cute in her adult life. She has a wonderful way of viewing life’s difficult moments—especially as they relate to parenting—with an eye for the humor in the situation.

A couple of weeks ago, on a Saturday afternoon that already had too many “time outs” and too few naps, daughter Amy showed up for worship team practice with her mommy-self dragging on the ground behind her.

Before practice began, the worship leader asked if anyone had a prayer need. Amy’s hand shot up. Well, as quickly as a hand can shoot when it’s exhausted.

“Yes, Amy? A prayer concern?”

“I’m having a little trouble with the Fruit of the Spirit.”

“Which one?”

“All of them. Except meekness.”

Her comment sent a wave of laughter around the room, blessing other worshipers who came to practice lacking in one or more of the Fruits of the Spirit.

She knew she didn’t need fewer children, or another read-through of a Dr. Dobson classic. Even if her circumstances…and the attitudes of her precious children…didn’t change, her true need was for a stronger complement of Fruit. Fresh Fruit.

How many days do I search for an answer I think I need—a solution I believe I ought to be able to find—when what I really need is a trip to the Divine Produce Department?

PRAYER: Lord God, I’m in awe of the way You can use the simplest, shortest little quip to sting my heart and jump-start it back into proper rhythm—Yours. Thanks for the sweet reminder that all I ever need more of is You.

BIBLE VERSE: “But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. Against such there is no law” (Galatians 5:22-23 NIV).