Superkids, I’d like to honor the person who best illustrates the fruit of the spirit in my life. My mom, Gloria Copeland, has always responded with a consistent flow of the fruit of Jesus, better known as the fruit of the spirit. Now that I’m a mom, I understand how important that is. I appreciate every time she has chosen love, joy, peace, kindness, virtue, faith, gentleness and strength instead of frustration or fear. Those qualities are what I remember most about growing up with her.
I’m sure my brother and I pushed her to the limit of HER patience, but she always seemed able to express the Lord’s patience toward us. Here’s the good news: We can never reach the limit of the fruit of the spirit. Some of you may feel like your mom (or someone else) has a “special ability,” but the real difference is the same as a flower seed versus a full flowering plant. Moms NEED a lot of patience, so they plant those seeds every time they choose to let God’s love flow.
Imagine Jesus as the Seed infused into your heart, and the different flowers as the fruit of His love. Galatians 5:22–23, The Passion Translation says: “The fruit produced by the Holy Spirit within you is divine love in all its varied expressions: joy that overflows, peace that subdues, patience that endures….” and as the Holy Spirit produces God’s love in YOU, it shows up as joy, peace and patience that endures. This patience is strong, steady and powered by Jesus, whether you’re a mom or a kid!
As a kid, patience isn’t just “waiting without whining.” That’s natural patience. Super patience that comes from Jesus isn’t forced or faked. It grows from the seed of His life in you.
Picture this: A farmer plants a seed and watches for the harvest. He doesn’t dig it up to check on it. He trusts the rain and the life inside the seed.
James 5:7–8 says: “Dear brothers and sisters, be patient as you wait…. Consider the farmers who patiently wait for the rains…. They eagerly look for the valuable harvest to ripen” (New Living Translation).
That’s what the Holy Spirit is doing, growing patience in your heart. When you keep your eyes on Jesus and listen to Him, His words are seeds. You’re not trying to be “good at waiting.” You’re infused with Jesus, and His patience grows like fruit on a tree.
Remember this, Superkid: Jesus is the Seed the Father planted in YOU. He is watching for the valuable harvest in your life. Because of Jesus, you can be as patient as He is. I saw this in my mom, and I learned to harvest it in my own life.
James points to the prophets as examples of patience, and I’ve looked at my mom that way. Now is a great time to watch “fruity” people—and become one as we learn each fruit together.
Also remember this: Moms aren’t the only ones who need patience. We all need it to follow Jesus into the things He has for us. Patience isn’t needed because nothing is happening. Patience is needed because EVERYTHING is happening! While my mom was growing her patience, God was growing me. And right now, He’s working things out in your family, even before anyone can see how awesome you’re going to turn out.
Commander Kellie♥