Living Out the Fruit of the Spirit
Author name
Midweek Message
When I plan to spend two hours with a group of fourth and fifth graders at church, I purposefully run scenarios in my mind of what might go wrong. It’s part of my planning. I think somewhere along the way I do actually prevent a few things from happening, but mostly whatever goes wrong were things I never saw coming. Mind you, “what might go wrong” are minor; like no available paper towels to clean up the jug of pink lemonade that was dropped because it was so heavy, or someone denting a ping pong ball when they stepped on it reaching for another ping pong ball.
I sometimes let my mind wander during this planning to what might go well. I’m not particularly good at that
either. Meaning, I never accurately predict the “what might turn out really great.” And I’m glad about that,
because when things go well, I know the Fruits of the Spirit are alive and at work in us and have greater impact that I could have ever imagined.
That’s what we have been focusing on, the Fruits of the Spirit. Galatians 5:22-23 reads, “But the Spirit gives
love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control.” We have agreed that
sometimes one of these fruits may be more important than another. We have also agreed that sometimes we
are better at enacting one of these fruits than another. Some of these fruits are hard! Some do not come easily! When we are mad, it’s is surely difficult to show kindness. And when we are told harshly to “be kind! Share!” it takes the steam out of any desire to do so.
Last Sunday, however, we settled down with a pencil and paper, selected some fruits of the spirit, and wrote a
haiku about it/them. Every single kid in the room knew what form haiku poetry takes (3 lines; 5 syllables, 7
syllables, 5 syllables). (Thanks, school!) Just about everyone wanted theirs read aloud. Check these out:
PEACE GOODNESS, FAITHFULNESS, PATIENCE
Sometimes you must find I am generous
Peace in the demanding world I am faithful to Jesus
Have love for people I am patient now
PATIENCE PEACE, FAITHFULNESS, PATIENCE
You should wait in line We must have world peace
It is good to not be first Be faithful no matter what
You wait for your turn Be patient in church
SELF-CONTROL GENTLENESS
I can control me Be gentle to all
I can only control myself Show gentleness with your words
That is the best way It really matters
KINDNESS GENEROSITY
Kindness is the best Giving stuff is nice
Kindness makes you feel better I like to share stuff with friends
Show kindness, not anger Share with everyone
FAITHFULNESS LOVE
Be faithful to God I like to give love
Have faith in Jesus, our Lord Give love on Valentine's Day
Have faith in the world Be loving to all
Did you catch any of that wisdom, by chance? “Show gentleness with your words – it really matters.” “I can
only control myself – that is the best way.” “We must have world peace – be faithful no matter what.” These
kids, our kids, are living out the fruit of the Spirit—bringing love, joy, peace and goodness to me, our church,
and are way beyond any plan or consideration of what might go wrong Sunday evening, or what might turn out great. Let their haikus touch you, and know the Holy Spirit is working through these children. Even with sticky floors and ping pong balls that won’t roll or bounce, our children are blessing us profoundly.
Tracy
