Live by the Spirit...

"So I say, live by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the sinful nature.  For the sinful nature desires what is contrary to the Spirit, and the Spirit what is contrary to the sinful nature.  But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control."  Galatians 5:16, 17, 22

Live by the Spirit...how often I fail.

On Monday my daughter and I were putting Daytona and Elmo on the pasture.  Well, a make shift pasture, our trail that is fenced on either side with two large logs across the ends to block them in, the last remaining bit of grass.  It's been so dry here, we haven't had a real good dumping of rain in over eight weeks.  I led Elmo and Charissa led Daytona, Daytona went in no problem so Charissa left to get a bucket of water.  Well stubborn Elmo refused to go in and so I struggled with him, it was hot and I was so sick of this heat and I was getting cranky.  I held him, tried to move the logs to give him more space to get in but he still refused, I pushed and pulled...he wasn't going any where.  Charissa came with the water and in my frustration I yelled at her about helping me with this stupid donkey. I'm not even sure what I all said but as soon as the words came out of my mouth I knew I had blown it.

I was frustrated and was looking to blame someone.  She should have known Elmo would be stubborn since we'd had a tough time putting him in the day before, she should have stayed to help, etc. The ugliness of my character had shown through in a moment of frustration.  How often it is that we look for someone to blame when we're frustrated or angry...we're always looking for a scapegoat out there...when the real one we should be looking at is ourselves.  I'm responsible for how I respond.  This wasn't Charissa's fault, it was what it was...a stubborn donkey.  A little test towards my character and how I would respond.

I had failed and was reminded of the following quote...

I apologized to Charissa for yelling at her and blaming her.  It's ironic, she actually made me the beautiful sign that lists the Fruit of the Spirit, it hangs in my bedroom as a reminder of how I should live each day. 

My life is filled with these little tests each day.  Every time there is a struggle, conflict, a wearing on my patience, a wrench thrown into my day, something not working out, etc. how will I respond...

Waiting in traffic

Waiting in the grocery line 

How about when the person in front of me forgot one item and runs to get it while I wait even longer

When someone cuts me off in traffic

When I feel taken for granted

When I'm waiting and waiting to get through to Bell

To the person on the other end of the line

When the light turns green and the person in front of me doesn't notice quick enough

The grumpy cashier

The children "disrupting" my peace

The neighbour's barky dog

Waiting for my dinner order to come

Slow traffic because of construction

When someone treats me disrespectfully

How will I respond...  

Will I remember that beautiful list of qualities that dwells within me because the Spirit dwells within me.  Will I respond in the Spirit or will I go the easy way and respond in the flesh.

Every time I am tested in these areas its opportunity to build character...the character of the Spirit.   It's also an opportunity to portray all these character qualities/gifts of the Spirit to someone else.  Our children are watching, those around us are watching and the LORD looks on to see how His children will respond. Will they be as Christ to their families, their employees, their employer, their fellow workers, those who serve them, the stranger...to humanity where ever their paths cross. We are His image bearers, are we bearing that image to those around us...to the world.

Can He trust me in the little things so He can trust me with the bigger things.

Things to be thankful for...

2389. God's beautiful creation

2390. Conversation around the campfire

2391. Sound of the loons on the lake and fishing

Fishing with friends.

2392. Card game, laughter

2394. Beautiful white water lilies

2395. A pair of loons and their baby

2396. Walking into a clean home bright clean floors - thanks Charissa

2397. The love of my husband

2398. My own bed

2399. Chat with Charissa

2400. Jocelyne got a new job being a nanny to twin boys

2401. Chat with Jocelyne

2402. Beautiful night sky

2403. Evening bird songs

2404. Sarah popping by for a visit

2405. Tea and bible study

2406. Cardinal song

2407. Lightening bugs outside my bedroom window

2408. Yard work with my husband

2409. Cool breezes while mowing the lawn

2410. A visit with good friends

2411. Lightening across the evening sky

2412. The sound of rain through my bedroom window

2413. Grocery shopping with Charissa

2414. Charissa out riding Daytona

2415. Summer breezes

2416. Walk to the Frink Centre with Charissa

2417. Visit with my cousin, her husband and their daughter

2418. Family, laughter in the night

2419. Cooler day

2420. Visit with my husband's mom

2421. Chore help from Alexandrea

2422. Refreshing morning walk with a friend up the road

2423. My son's heart

2424. Beautiful evening for a photo shoot

2425. Cool night for sleeping

2426. Visit to the sales barn and lunch out with my nieces and Alexandrea

2427. Stella in the water trough

2428. Ride on Tank for Alexandrea

2429. Two foxes running around in the horse paddock

2430. God's steadfast love

2431. A new day

2432. Breezes on a hot day

2433. Alexandrea's love for Daytona

Elmo thought he should help out by holding the lead too :-)

2434. Morning chat with Charissa

2435. Cooler day

2436. Beautiful clouds in the evening sky

2437. Movie night with the girls

2438. Bible study with friends

2439. Leaves shimmering in the summer breezes

2440. Downpour

2441. Elmo

2442. Charissa home for the weekend

2443. Nieces over for a visit, laughter
2444. Thank you card from Alexandrea

Beautiful smiles.

2445. Visit with Will, Amy and Lily

2446. Lily's smiles

2447. Divine moments, God speaking

2448. Cousin's watching out for each other

2449. Late evening chat with Jocelyne

2450. Cool morning

2451. BBQ and fellowship with friends

2452. My husband's obedience and courage

2453. The wind

2454. Laughter with Matt

2455. Visit with Jessica and the kids

Jessica's new friend :-)

2456. Quiet night

2457. Beautiful cool morning

2458. Chat with Jocelyne and Charissa

2459. Morning walks with friends

2460. My son's kindness

2461. Murphy is back

2462. Vulnerability

2463. Brothers and sisters in Christ

2464. Unique photography opportunity

2465. Hearts shared

2466. Dinner out with friends

2467. Stormy night skies, sheets of lightening

2468. Beautiful hotel room

2469. Time spent with youth from the northern Canada

2470. A walk through Ottawa by the canal

2471. Summer breezes on a hot day

2472. Barefoot on the lush green grass, cool on my feet

2473. Kids having fun at the lake

2474. All my kids home

2475. Cousins hanging out

2476. Smiles from Lily

2477. Family

2478. Morning rain and thunderstorm

2479. My husband's wisdom and love

2480. Honesty

2481. Conversations about Jesus with Aliyah

2482. Specialty tea from Jocelyne

2483. Cool morning

2484. Job completed

2485. Gently falling rain

2486. Thunder and lightening

2487. Card game with Aliyah

2488. Chat with Will before he heads to Germany

2489. Will and Matt's safe arrival to Germany
2490. Visit with Amanda and Ryan

2491. Reid's Dairy and a walk by the Bay with everyone
2492. Charissa home for the long weekend
2493. Visit with a friend
2494. Dan, Jocelyne and Aliyah home safe
2495. Small group sharing and prayer time
2496. Grocery shopping with Charissa
2497. Charissa out fishing with her dad and Kayla
2498. Quiet afternoon
2499. The smell of rain...only a few drops :-(
2500. Charissa out for a ride on Daytona

 Elmo's sadness at being left behind :-(

2501. The GREATNESS of our God
2502. Worship
2503. Ice cream cone on a hot day
2504. Country drive
2505. Hanging out with the nieces
2506. Forgiveness
2507. Will and Matt are back in Ontario
2508. Matt home, sharing stories from Germany
2509. The beauty of dew up close on blades of grass