As followers of Jesus Christ, we awaken each day and know in our very own depths of existence how we should become, speak, ask and acknowledge His sovereignty…but sometimes, God reveals himself right in the midst of our darkest moments to remind us how bright His presence is among us.
On a cold December day while visiting and sharing life over a cup of coffee with my friend Mrs. Jenkins, her patient and gentle 86-year-old hand slowly reached across the kitchen table onto my fingertips. Softly she looked up at me and said, “I want to share something with you. I had a dream last night of a man’s arm that reached down toward me, and offered me a bundle of fruit with his hand held wide-open. Then I woke up.” Mrs. Jenkins went on to tell me about the recent feelings of loneliness and fear that she had felt during the holiday season this year. I had learned her husband and son had both passed away within the past five years, and her daughter would only visit from Ohio when she could afford it.
Galatians 5:22 But the fruit of the spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness
What an awesome God we have that loves us! As the snow flurries fell upon the rusty barometer that hung outside her kitchen window, I sat with her at the same table where she had shared many meals with loved ones, and we talked about how God tells us He will never forsake His children. We talked about how the truths of our Earthly life can sometimes seem bigger than the truth of God’s word for our eternity. In our time together on that morning, our words sharpened one another. Those same words also brought great comfort in knowing that when God reaches into our lives bearing His fruits of the spirit with an open hand, it’s not just a dream. For anywhere we seek Him, He is ready to fill our spirit.
The fears we have will come to us from age eight, to age eighty-six. Those fears never, ever stop. Death, anxiety, doubt, sickness and so on. The Holy Spirit will always be present for us to reach the Father. Is God speaking to you on how to fill the cups of others who need to hear His promises? Be encouraged this week to extend your hand. Reach out to that brother or sister who needs you, and allow God to deliver His fruit.
– Matt Simmons
