The house my grandfather built when my dad came into this world, later became my family’s house.  I lived there from the ages of 12-19.  I loved our backyard paradise.  We had apple trees, five different kinds of grapes, cherry trees, pear trees, wild strawberries and so much more. The excitement started when I spotted the blossoms, I knew before long, with enough of nature kissing those blossoms, fruit would be coming.  Yum!  My mother made jams and jellies and preserved the whole fruit also.  We could enjoy the fruits for months even when it was snowing outside. 

Galatians 5:22   “But the fruit of the spirit is …joy.”  Just imagine nurturing your spirit, like nature nurtures those blossoms.  For those fruit trees, a hefty dose of sunshine, rain, and healthy soil brings delicious fruit results.  If our spirit was nurtured and tended to on a daily basis with a hefty dose of SONshine and praising His “reign” we could build our foundation on the ROCK and the fruit of our spirits would be joy. 

The right season for your harvest is now.  Don’t delay your efforts to till your soil, add the daily doses of His word (your Sonshine), and sprinkle often with praise and thanksgiving.  The efforts you put forth will reap a bountiful yield of JOY. 

When your spirit is joy-filled, your soul is awake and puts forth energy and love.  A smile will broaden on your face, your eyes will easily become the windows to your soul for the light within is pure joy. With trowel in hand, dig deep into His word, pull out the bothersome weeds of anxiousness, anger, and mean-spiritedness. Our God loves us unconditionally and will help you nurture a strong foundation to reap the fruit of your spirit…joy!

Jill