A neighbor shared some of their abundant fig harvest with us. M kept calling them "digs". M thought getting them was pretty cool because we often pass by a fig tree on our walks that partially covers the sidewalk so we stop and take a look at the growing figs. We made goat cheese fig pizza with the gift, yum! Now we want to plant a fig tree! Figs are mentioned a lot in the Bible so having a fig tree could be a great way to keep a biblical conversation going.
We continued the topic of fruit with memorizing Galatians 5:22, The fruit of the Spirit are love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. Daddy pitched in to the conversation about the verse with, "What's inside a tree is what's going to come out of the tree." We told our boys, who are still learning how food grows, that you will never get apples from a fig tree. We related it to their hearts. What you put in is what you get out. If you put mean things in, you'll get mean fruit. If you put loving and kind things in you'll get kind and loving fruit that will naturally be shared with others. When asked what kind of tree M wants to be, his answer was "loving".
At this young age we’ll help guide M and J to ideas on how they can share their “fruit” and as they get older they, hopefully, will share it on their own. We’ll continue to learn about them and pray for love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control to fill our hearts. Here’s a list of some of the fruit I see God producing in M and how I talk to him about it.
We can love family by helping them and making their day brighter by doing fun things like going out for special treats. Give M a Blizzard from Dairy Queen to share and you'll see his whole body light up.
When we write positive chalk messages on a friend's driveway we are spreading joy.
When he's upset I will pray out loud for God to give him peace.
M is working on being patient for things, especially when he’s tired or hungry. He’s started telling us when he is having a hard time waiting. When that happens I suggest to him to sing a song or do something else to make waiting easier.
When we pick up garbage on our walks, we are being good to our neighbors.
M is remarkably gentle for someone who is so much bigger than J.
M had recently eaten too much pineapple and it had hurt his tongue. We said that now he knows he should stop before that happens next time and that is using self-control.
Manna:
Connect what you do, learn, and eat with a characteristic of God
Help them identify these in themselves and in others: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control
Continually discuss what those words mean in their lives and that God can give them these things
What kind of tree do I want to be? I want to be a strong woman type of tree.
“A strong woman has waited patiently while her roots grew down deep into the Word of God. Over time, she becomes unshakeable in her faith. She starts bearing fruit naturally and is full of life. People are attracted to her strength and growth, and many find rest and peace as they lean on her. And when storms and trials come, as they always do, they will not be able to take her down. A few branches may be lost or pruned away, but in their place comes new growth, new life. This is what I long to be! A strong woman who is anchored in God’s promises. But it starts by setting down your roots in God’s Word. It will not happen as you stand up for yourself, and demand attention, and fight for yourself. It will happen as you stand in Christ, and demand that He gets your attention, and fight for His glory. The beautiful thing is that as we pursue this, God takes His rightful place in our lives.” ― Lisa Chan, You and Me Forever: Marriage in Light of Eternity
I cry out to God to put His Truth, Goodness, and Beauty in our words, actions, and prayers. Spend time with the Gardener, notice being watered and the Son shining bright on you. Surrender to the pruning and grow!
Lord,
Help us and guide us in teaching our kids about Your words in ways they can understand.
Supernaturally bring up opportunities to develop our fruit and recognize what You’ve provided to help us become more like Jesus. .
May we become strong trees with lots of fruit, seeking You always.
Amen.