This picture of water rinsing these red, ripe strawberries was captured while the fruit was being prepared for my cookbook, “Back Roads Country Living. I just love it! When I saw this picture, it took me back to a place in time of Nana and I and our annual strawberry picking ventures at Mr. Tucker’s farm across the river in Huddleston, Virginia. I remember the vast field and the rows and rows of God’s delicious goodness. it brought a Bible verse to mind about God’s abundance and His gift of the fruits of the Spirit. I really like the verses wording in The Message.
Fruits of the Spirit
Galatians 5:22-24 (MSG)
22-23 But what happens when we live God’s way? He brings gifts into our lives, much the same way that fruit appears in an orchard—things like affection for others, exuberance about life, serenity. We develop a willingness to stick with things, a sense of compassion in the heart, and a conviction that a basic holiness permeates things and people. We find ourselves involved in loyal commitments, not needing to force our way in life, able to marshal and direct our energies wisely.
23-24 Legalism is helpless in bringing this about; it only gets in the way. Among those who belong to Christ, everything connected with getting our own way and mindlessly responding to what everyone else calls necessities is killed off for good—crucified.