I love you, Daddy

Galatians 5: 22-23 (NIV)
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.

Our youngest, Boaz, has learnt an incredible relational trick. Whenever he senses he’s in trouble, or knows he’s done something wrong, or frustrated me, after a moment's silence he just says – calmly and quietly – ‘I love you, Daddy’. It gets me every single time without fail. I know I’m a complete push over, but how can I be mad with a cute 2.5-year-old telling me he loves me?

I think children just ooze the gifts of the Spirit (… okay, maybe not patience). But think about it: they ask brilliant questions, they are full of joy, they are super quick to forgive and they can be the kindest of little souls when they know they are in trouble!

Just like Boaz, we aren’t perfect – we will make mistakes. In our endeavours to be light to the city of Birmingham, in hopes to see Kingdom in the City, in our efforts to share Jesus with others, we won’t get it right all the time. But I am confident of this - if we display the fruit of the Spirit, not only will we not go far wrong, but the fruit will spread a huge amount of grace over us and our interactions with others.

Beyond this, we know that it’s the Spirit, not us, that leads people to the Father – we are merely a signpost. So, if we are continuously aware of our need to be filled with and led by his Spirit, we can trust that he will complete the work in his own time.

Each day, when you step out hoping to bring a little more light to your places of influence, take a moment to ask God to anoint you with the fruit of the Spirit.

 Prayer – Father, I long that people would come to know you. Today I long for us to see Heaven manifested in our everyday lives. But I know I won’t get it right all the time, so I ask you to fill me, lead me and guide me by the power of your Spirit.