sweet treats

Four peeled Clementine oranges sat in bowl at the center of our dinner table. Passing over tenderloin and noodles, my little Zach reached for his orange with great anticipation. The sweet, juicy treat was more than he could resist, but I quickly reminded him it was intended to follow his meal, a way of cleansing his palate.

After explaining the art of eating to him along with finishing my own meal, I too stretched across the table for my orange. Thumbs diving in, I broke into the small orange pulling apart segments, revealing a single white seed.

At this sight, my mind chewed on the meat of God's word.

But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, meekness, and temperance. Galatians 5:22

Consider now His fruit. It too is irresistible. It is sweet. It satisfies. And yes, it has seed hidden inside.

When the fruit of the Spirit is offered to others, it is deposited with a seed that is sure to germinate and produce like fruit if there be any good soil hidden inside and yet another comes along to offer a bit of living water.


O Lord, help me crucify this flesh with its affections and lusts and live, yes, walk in the Spirit where there is life...life more abundant, not only for me, but also for others. Thank you for your life-giving fruit and your Spirit manifested in so many wonderful ways.