A Fruit-Bearer

Bible Reading: Galatians 5:22-26

Mateo rushed downstairs in a whirlwind with his hair sticking straight up, shoelaces untied, and shirt tails untucked. He grabbed the only banana on the counter and started peeling it with lightning speed.

“Hey! That’s my banana! It’s for my lunch!” shouted his sister, Maria.

“It doesn’t have your name on it, and I’m starving,” replied Mateo, giving his sister a piercing glare.

“Well, you wouldn’t be starving if you had come down for breakfast when Mom called. Now we’ll probably be late for school.” Maria tossed a brown paper bag in Mateo’s direction. “Start packing your lunch. Mom wanted to leave three minutes ago.”

Just then Mom rushed into the kitchen. She pulled out the ham and cheese sandwiches from the fridge and tossed them into each of their lunch sacks. “Don’t forget to put two types of fruit in your lunch bags,” Mom reminded them.

“I know!” Maria said forcefully as she threw a tangerine into her sack.

“Here’s a lemon for the sourpuss!” Mateo slammed down a lemon on the counter right in front of his sister.

“Whoa! Hold on here!” Mom moved over and stood between her son and daughter. “You both need to have an attitude check before we head out of this house. You’re packing edible fruit in your lunch bags, but you sure aren’t showing the most important kind of fruit.”

“What do you mean, Mom?” asked Maria in a softer tone.

“I’m talking about the fruit of the Spirit. Just like a tree bears fruit, the Bible talks about the fruit we bear in our lives. Because we’ve put our faith and trust in Jesus, the Holy Spirit lives within us. Because of Him, we can show these fruits to others—love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control.”

“I’m thinking we weren’t showing that kind of fruit this morning,” said Mateo.

“I think you’re right,” Maria agreed. “What do you say we start over?”

“Sounds good, sis.” Mateo smiled as he traded his sister’s lemon for an apple. Emily Rudolph

How About You?

Do you see God’s fruit in your life? Do you show the fruit of love to your siblings even when they frustrate you? Do you show the fruit of self-control in class when you’re supposed to be quiet? How about the fruit of patience? As a Christian, the Holy Spirit gives you the strength and ability to bear these fruits. Trust Him to help you show fruit today.

Today’s Key Verse:
Galatians 5:22-23 The Holy Spirit produces this kind of fruit in our lives: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. (NLT)

Today’s Key Thought:

Show the fruit of the Spirit