I’ve been a Christian so long that, at times, it’s been easy to take my faith for granted. Dry seasons, wandering seasons, passionately in love with Him seasons.
Every frustrating dry season when I long to hear His voice but for some reason can’t inevitably ends up with a hard self-examination and facing my need to weed out the parts that aren’t bringing Him glory or redirect myself onto the path He’s chosen.
But the fruits of those seasons are always a rich harvest for which I am thankful. Each season has come with life lessons and helped shape me into a more empathetic person full of grace (toward everyone but myself, sadly).
But the Holy Spirit produces this kind of fruit in our lives: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self control. There is no law against these things! – Galatians 5:22-23 NLT
The last bit always cracks me up. Do you ever hear people rant, “There ought to be a law!” about one frustrating thing or another? I imagine the religious lawmakers of Paul’s day said it a lot. And while there is no law against the fruits of the spirit, growing them in our daily lives is certainly no easier than following the Old Testament law.
By now, we can agree that 2020 has been a YEAR. Patience runs thin (which is the most difficult fruit of the spirit to grow anyway, IMO). Kindness, goodness, and gentleness are hard to find if you’re watching the news or other media, though if you look around in real life, you’ll find them like plants flourishing in the shade. Same goes for love and joy. I won’t even get started on self-control (hello, extra pounds).
I started out the year writing two books. The first, my final novel in the Everyday Love series which released in May. The second, Always Been Yours, part of the Something Borrowed collection with several of my dearest author friends. Hanady and Keenan’s friends-to-more story came together just how I envisioned. I wasn’t sure what the rest of my writing year held, but I trusted the Lord to show me the way.
Then… in came invitations from two more collections for this Christmas. Peace settled into my spirit while praying about joining them, so I did. And then came quarantine and stay-home orders, giving me more dedicated time to write than ever. With three commitments, I needed every second. Unfortunately, though I exercised self-discipline and saw that fruit grow in abundance, joy and peace began shriveling on the vine.
I finished my second book and excitedly began work on the third, a spin-off from my May release Whatever Happens Next. Rob and Vera’s story came pouring out in the beginning. By the time I hit the middle of Christmas Mercy for the seventh Crossroads collection, though, I struggled. Anxiety and self-doubt strangled my peace.
This was early summer when we were all growing weary of quarantine, our state remaining closed, and mourning all of our canceled plans. Still, I faithfully continued to write and work through the emotions and lack of peace and was overwhelmed by God’s reminder in my life of His mercy. His grace. His good gifts even when we’re a mess inside.
As I made plans to begin my final novella of the year, fear wanted to settle in and make its mark. I had to faithfully practice trust and fight off the doubts of the enemy while also resting in the promise that if God called me to it, He would equip me for it. And because He is faithful, He answered my fervent prayers and expanded my creativity to write This and Every Christmas, part of Hearts Aglow (The Christmas Lights Collection 2020). This story is unlike anything else I’ve ever written. How I wrote it was different, too. It grew me and stretched me and through it I learned so much about the kind of storyteller He calls me to be.
It also reminded me of the words in John 15:5. Apart from Him, I can do nothing. My vine will wither, the fruits shrivel, and words fail. He is the vine from which I grow, from which the fruits of my spirit will grow. These three books are the fruits of faithfulness and self-discipline as I sought peace despite my anxieties. They bring joy to my heart and are a strong reminder of what a big, wonderful God we serve. How He loves me through every up and down and calls me to do the same with Him (and others!). Seeing them out in the world, knowing how much they’ve been prayed and labored over is a tangible bit of each fruit that God has worked in me through 2020.
What fruits are flourishing in you this year? Are you struggling with any? How can I pray for or encourage you?
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Blessings!
God is in control…always. I trust that He knows what’s best for us; even though, it might not be clear to us in this moment. He is my Rock and my Redeemer!
I won’t burden you with what’s going on, but it’s been overwhelming. Books are my solace.
“…and Jesus was asleep in the back of the boat.”
Sometimes I wonder if the opposite of peace isn’t so much worry as it is discouragement. Regardless of how easy or difficult the circumstances may be, when I think that there is no hope for improvement or joy, then I lose my peace. When that storm whipped up, Jesus was so not bothered that he continued to sleep. The disciples may have been worried but they knew they had someone to turn to. And, sure enough, all it took was a single brief command. It’s when I see no path out of whatever trial I’m in and no hope of finding one, that’s when I stop believing that God really cares. That’s when I lose the peace that really matters.
I learned, somewhere along the line, that the Hebrew word Shalom (peace) doesn’t mean the absence of conflict. It means a sense of well-being in the midst of conflict (or struggle or trial or difficulty or 2020). We know our God has no need of sleep (Jesus no longer being bound by flesh and blood). We also know that our God has no equal (not even a far distant second) in wisdom, power and love. I still feel drawn, though, to the idea of wanting to tell the Lord that He needs to wake up and help because it feels scary and nasty soggy wet down here. Not at all to my liking. Trials aren’t everything, but they sure keep the kids in touch!
“… and Jesus was asleep in the back of the boat.”
This year COVID has made me think even more of what I have always known, but sometimes I just didn’t think much about it. It is to Not take Anything or Anyone for granted. Have a Great week and stay safe. God Bless you and your family. Thank you for sharing your words of wisdom with us.
Thanks, Alicia! Not taking anyone or anything for granted is certainly a valuable life lesson. Thank you for sharing!
I think I’m struggling more than flourishing! Patience (or long-suffering) has never been a strong suit for me in the first place, though I try. With COVID going on for so long now, I find myself losing patience more often and I don’t like to be that way.
It’s been a hard year, but I know that I am clinging more to God and relying on Him to help me through my struggles. And realizing He’s still working on me 🙂
I’m definitely still in the struggle season right there with you, Trixi. Clinging to Him has been the only thing keeping me from losing myself to the drag-down current. Praise God that He loves us as we are, works in progress and all!
I’m such a homebody that Covid really has effected me. I’ll admit, when they told me I couldn’t go to the mall, I REALLY wanted to go to the mall! However, since it’s re-opened, I could care less! I’ve learned not to pray for patience, and since I’m caregiver to Mom, I really avoid praying for it! I don’t word it as patience anymore, not sure that really counts, though! lol!! Covid did make shopping stressful, it became more like a scavenger hunt to see if you could find items you needed; thankfully, things are getting much better! I find reading my Bible everyday is a huge help!!
Yes! I so get this!! I joined a plan back in January to read through the Bible in a year. While I got slightly off track here and there, I’m finally caught back up again and am LOVING the discipline of reading daily (never my forte before). It’s been such a blessing to my spirit in this crazy year and I’m going to attempt a different version next year.
Jaycee,
Yes, I agree this is a season that is testing our willingness to cling to the hand of God, and trust He is Who He says He is. My husband and I have been blessed in that good has also come out of this crazy time. I try to focus on the good and the possibilities rather than what has been lost. And I remind myself, how awful for those who have no hope? No wonder they are frightened and angry. I have been praying that perhaps the eyes of the lost and disillusioned will be opened and their ears cleared – that they might, too, see, hear, and know Christ.
How wonderful that you were able to persevere and accomplish good results. This has been a difficult time which doesn’t seem to offer a quick end.
We must Simply trust and pray.
Amen to every word you wrote, Penelope! Thank you for reading and leaving a comment. 💙
Ironically this year has been good for me. Thanks to covid I have learnt some of the major triggers for my head pain. I always knew noise and bright lights and glare were a trigger I didn’t know how much. I found by not shopping most days (supermarket) and being home more my headpain was more manageable. Besides one of the worst colds in my life and a few other things I am actually coping better than I have since the pain started.
I am struggling with frustrations with other people for a few things I am trying to organise and having people being negative or wanting something that should be free to be use for getting donations. I need to be able to let things slide.
The other major prayer request right now is my big boy Henry (cat) is missing has been for over 5 days now. I am trying to not get to upset as I know he is a free spirit and he did this when he was at the vets before I adopted him he was gone either a week or 2. But his little sister Libby is really starting to fret.
What a blessing to understand your pain triggers better when suffering chronic pain. I’m sorry you’re facing such pain at all, but I understand well how frustrating it can be when you’re unsure of what’s making it worse and/or can’t do anything to help it.
I’ll be praying for Henry and the rest as well. Thank you for sharing, and may peace and comfort be with you.
Thanks thanks to botox the pain is less.
Henry is still missing and Libby is not sure what to do. I won’t give up I know he can come home.