I Grow My Own Friut

**This story is being told with permission from the 12 year old

Yesterday we had our camper, Scout, out of the garage and set up getting ready for our Spring Break trip to Texas this week.
Needless to say, the Three Monkeys were/are SUPER EXCITED!

The brothers had a half day of school yesterday and that only added to the palpable excitement in the air!

After helping and playing most of the afternoon, they were just hanging out in Scout.
J was playing his DS and C was watching him. Which soon turned into pestering him.

After asking him to stop and sending him to 'his side' of the camper, I asked him which Fruit of the Spirit does pestering fall under.
To which, the looked at me for a moment, got a twinkle in his eye and a crooked grin and said "I'm growing my own fruit.". (in his defense he IMMEDIATELY said I'm just kidding and you're right, pestering isn't a Fruit of the Spirit.)

I've found myself coming back to that thought today: "I'm growing my own fruit."
I know in my own life I am often guilty of that.
Growing; doubt, anger, fear, worry, bitterness,deceit. The list could go on and on.

So, as we head off on our family adventure this week I'm recommitting to growing-which requires tending-which means w o r k-the things that God commands.

But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, 23 gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law. Galatians 5:22-23

It will be difficult at times, as we'll be five different personalities in one small space doing things that are outside of my comfort zone.

But, I'm tired of growing my own fruit. It's much harder to maintain and you know, it just doesn't taste good.


And when it becomes even harder and my flesh wants to rebel, I will think on this verse from Galatians 6 : And let us not grow weary while doing good, for in due season we shall reap if we do not lose heart.

I can't wait to reap that rich harvest!