Application steps:

Place a cornucopia on your kitchen table during this harvest season as a reminder to yourself to pursue the fruit of the Holy Spirit. Allow yourself to overflow with love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and, of course, self-control. Make a mental note to keep in step with the Spirit throughout your day.

Reflection points:

Which traits of the fruit of the Spirit do I need the most?

Am I willing to pay the cost to obtain a harvest of righteousness?

In what circumstances do I need to call on the Holy Spirit as my Helper?

Verses of Truth:

Galatians 5:25, “Since we live by the Spirit, let us keep in step with the Spirit.” (NIV)

John 16:7, “But I tell you the truth, it is to your advantage that I go away; for if I do not go away, the Helper shall not come to you; but if I go, I will send Him to you.” (NASB)

Ephesians 5:8-10, “For you were once darkness, but now you are light in the Lord. Live as children of light (for the fruit of the light consists in all goodness, righteousness and truth) and find out what pleases the Lord.” (NIV)

Romans 15:13, “May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.” (NIV)

"The Grocery Cart"

But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law.” (Galatians 5:22-23)

I dislike grocery shopping. It tops my list of least liked chores. I find most shopping carts veer to the left when laden down with canned pumpkin and a twenty-pound turkey. Worse, they squeak when I try to sneak down the ice cream aisle.

Of course, the supermarket is only the beginning. I complain as I load the bags into my car. Groans issue forth as I haul the heavy bags into the kitchen. The ultimate irk comes when I try to find room for everything in my all-ready-stuffed pantry. “Where am I going to put all this stuff until Thanksgiving Day?” I ask myself.

Oh, Thanksgiving Day. A day to remind me of the bounty God blesses me with each day. It’s the holiday when I gorge myself on delectable food and then still find room for the pumpkin pie topped with white mounds of whipping cream for which I am truly thankful. I use Thanksgiving Day, every fourth Thursday of November, as a time to encourage my children to be thankful for all of God’s goodness that we have experienced throughout the year.

Today’s key verse states, “You crown the year with your bounty.” It reflects the fact that God provides, especially during the harvest season. It’s a festive time to thank our Lord for all He provides for us throughout the year. My over-stocked cupboards should be a reminder of God’s abundance in providing for my family and me.

Next time I need to do the “dreaded” grocery shopping, I think I will ask for forgiveness for an ungrateful heart. And as I grab the unruly shopping cart, I will recite, “and your carts overflow with abundance.” I want to have a “Thanksgiving Day” each time I go to the store. I want to remember Thanksgiving Day should be everyday.

Whispers from the Heart:

Dear Lord, forgive my ungrateful heart. My grumbling about grocery shopping is a flagrant insult to Your bountiful goodness in my life. Help me to remember Your provision each day. I thank you for the groceries in my refrigerator and pantry. You are so good to me. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.

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