The Fruits of the Spirit and Jeopardy (Galatians 5:22-23)

“Next category, The Bible!”

We were celebrating the service of our Youth Pastor and his family who were leaving our church after three years. As part of the festivities, a version of Jeopardy, personalized to their lives, was being played by the entire church. When the next category was announced, I was excited. “I got this!” I thought. My overconfidence and pride, once again, got the better of me.

“What are the fruits of the Holy Spirit?”

Oh no! I knew the passage and some of the gifts, but shamefully, I never memorized the passage. But out of the corner of the room was a voice shouting the answer!

But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law.

Galatians 5:22-23 (ESV)

My daughter perfectly recited the passage! I was absolutely beaming with pride! “That’s my girl!” I shouted. After the celebration, a sister in Christ came up to me and said, “I bet you were very proud of your daughter!”

“Oh yes! Never prouder!”

My daughter has been blessed by God with many gifts. She does well in school, plays the piano, is active in many volunteer activities, and is surrounded by many wonderful and caring friends. She has a kind and generous heart, especially toward her younger brother and other children with special needs. But it is her love of God that truly makes her beautiful.

Charm is deceitful, and beauty is vain, but a woman who fears the Lord is to be praised.

Proverbs 31:30 (ESV)

My daughter accepted Jesus Christ as her Lord and Savior. She lives with the gifts of the Holy Spirit because she seeks to place God first in her life.

I have never been prouder.

Thanks be to God for blessing our family!

Love and trust the Lord; seek His will in your life.