Sharing Fruit

"Since we live by the Spirit, let us keep in step with the Spirit."  -Galatians 5:25

The miniature pumpkins growing along this fence where we were staying on Martha's Vineyard a few years ago came from the vine Rosemary's neighbor planted on his side of the fence.  In today's Our Daily Bread Xochitl Dixon writes about enjoying the grapes and other fruit that dangled over the fence between his yard and his neighbor's.  He adds, "The produce from the trees and vines on the other side of our fence reminds me of another harvest that benefits me and the people God places in my life.  That harvest is the fruit of the Spirit."  ODB sums up the devotional:  "The fruit of the Spirit changes us so we can impact the lives of those around us."

Allowing the Spirit free reign in our lives transforms us in such a way that the fruit (love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control) that we enjoy also benefits others--just as Xochitl and Rosemary enjoyed the fruit of their neighbor's garden.

I am grateful for the people in my life whose lives are filled with the bountiful fruit of the Spirit.