Strawberries with a side of Joy please...

I am that mom that packs fruit of all kinds in my children's lunchboxes even though I am positive they will not eat it. They each have about two fruit choices that stand a chance of being eaten when not being coaxed after each bite. Why would I do something so foolish or wasteful you ask?  In some insane way it helps soothe my need for the kids to eat healthy, whole food, non-processed, non-GMO, non-hydrogenated, whole grain, organic, and everything else free foods. Basically, it makes me feel like that trendy mom on the cover of parenting magazines handing out kale smoothies for her children's after school snack. Occasionally, I face the truth and accept that my children can be picky. Often the pickiness is for no other reason than they do not want to work at trying something new or it leaves a bad taste in their mouth. Girl one says "watermelon." Girl two says "strawberries." Baby boy says "what do you have in chocolate?"

Today, I concluded a three month study on the Fruit of the Spirit in Marriage. This group of women, lovingly called REJOICE, has encouraged, enlightened, and challenged me each time we have met together. I am very thankful for each of them.  For weeks now I have invested my reading and thoughts on the Fruit of the Spirit in Galatians 5. One would think I  should now have some answers to life and faith in regards to the subject, but like always I find myself asking more questions and wanting to study more. In the past 17 years of marriage and 4 years of dating I have read countless books on marriage and relationships. Each has its benefits and practical wisdom. However, my heart longs to understand what it means to have "Holy Matrimony." A marriage that is set apart, unique, and not ordinary. I have learned that what happens as we desire and search for the meaning of holiness is we find ourselves in the vineyard of the Fruit of the Spirit. I think that often we try to grasp an understanding of peace, patience, goodness, self control, gentleness, and faithfulness by trying to juggle apples, oranges, grapes, and blueberries.  We separate them into separate fruits and then choose the ones we will allow the Holy Spirit to work within us. "Yes, I will have the goodness and peace, but I'm allergic to kindness and self control has a bitter taste."  God packs them in our lunches but we refuse to eat them.

Imagine if we, as God's holy, chosen people let the Holy Spirit change and transform us, thus changing our marriage relationships. If self control was part of our character think how much better we would handle conflict. If gentleness was growing within our bones I am sure we would not speak harshly or hurtfully. What if we allowed patience to come and rest within us so that God could show us his power. Imagine our marriages if kindness and mercy were our default, not selfishness and ungratefulness. Paul says it is The Fruit, not many fruits. We do not have the luxury of picking the ones we like and refusing the ones that are hard to swallow. How can I possess joy in all seasons and circumstances in my marriage yet lack patience? It is not possible. I imagine a whole new fruit. One that only the Holy Spirit could produce.  One that has the sweetness of a Georgia peach, the texture of a Gala apple, and the tang of a mango. The fruit that looks like "love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self control." This fruit is perfect for everybody.  This girl says, "I want that one!"