Joy's Great Joy

Thursday, August 11, 2011 Posted by Sara

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            Joy was on the far end of the farmer’s market patting watermelons and smelling baskets of berries.  When I approached her, she was already biting into a large strawberry, from the basket she purchased. She offered one to me.
            “Don’t you just love fresh fruit?” she asked delightfully, wrinkling her nose. 
            I nodded, mouth full of strawberry.
            “So sweet, so delicious,” she continued, “and all packed in a little seed.” She marveled at the fruit in the stands as we walked by.  She twirled at least three times as we passed the peaches and nectarines. 
             She directed me to walk with her to the middle of the market.  “You see, don’t you?”
            “I think I do.”
            “Of course, you do.” She grinned, then lifted her arms in abandoned and cried out, “I AM A FRUIT!”  I froze with the rest of the market goers, as Joy sheepishly looked around and then at me, until neither of us could hold back the laughter brewing within.
            As the crowds continued on their way, making little of her outburst, she gathered herself together,  "But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control. Against such there is no law.”
            “I remember.” 
            “I am a seed, planted in your heart by the Spirit – to grow and bear fruit.” She handed me another strawberry, “so others might taste the Kingdom through you.”
            I smiled at the thought, and the sweetness of the strawberry.
            “He’s always had a thing for gardens, you see.  And now you are one.  He took you out of the garden to protect you, he dealt with your sin to free you, and now he plants the garden inside you, hidden and protected. I am fruit born in your life as you abide in Christ, that you and those around you might taste and see that the Lord is good.”
            I stood there amazed at Joy.  It was apparent that she loved to be shared, and that she loved revealing the Gardner.

Jesus, help us understand and appreciate the riches that you have planted in us by the Spirit – how to feast on your presence, on your JOY, and invite others to enjoy you too!

sara
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