“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.” Galatians 5:22-23 (NIV)
(Annual family beach trip 2016)
As you read this today, my family will be heading West. Reed talked us into one last family vacation before he and Brighton get married this fall. I love to travel and explore new sites, so it was an easy sell for me. Jase is sort of a home-body, so I wasn’t sure it was going to happen. However, where there is golf, there is a way!
Yes, Jase and the boys get to play golf. But the main attraction will be the Grand Canyon and another large national park. Again, I was thrilled to learn about visiting these gorgeous places, intricately designed by God. Reed found where there is an incredibly beautiful waterfall nestled inside a canyon between gigantic rocks. He showed me a picture, and immediately I agreed. The picture was breathtaking! He forgot to mention at that initial conversation that it was ten miles into this canyon and that you can only reach it on foot. Yes, on foot!
Okay, back up for a second. To me, a vacation means sand between my toes, splashing in the waves of the gulf or ocean, lounging horizontal on a chaise reading a good book (or three) for a week. It does not mean hiking 10 miles one way in rugged terrain. But…the fact that my grown and almost-grown children want to do this together…with their parents? How can I say no?
So, I decided we had better make this a spiritual journey as well as a physical one.
We’ve decided to take the fruits of the Spirit that Paul talks about in Galatians and put them to use in very practical and tangible ways every day this week. Some will be easy to do, and some will be more difficult. (I’m secretly hoping the fruit of patience doesn’t fall on the 10-mile hike day as it may taste a bit bitter for me!)
Have you found it quite a bit easier to administer those fruits to people who you aren’t around all day long? It’s usually not a challenge to show them at church on Sunday mornings or at your child’s Open House night at school. It may be a tad more difficult to practice these fruits with your co-workers, students or patients on a daily basis. But who knows you best? That’s right. Our family knows us better than anybody else does. Yikes! Would your family members be able to check off each one of the fruits of the Spirit as evident characteristics in your life?
Challenge: Take each day this week and try to show each fruit to your family members in a hands-on, verbal and physical way. My family will be taking the challenge with you!
Today is LOVE and JOY!
I LOVE my family and I will see the JOY today in traveling with them for hours on planes and in cars to a place I’ve never been before and know completely nothing about. Woohoo!
Perspective.
Have a fruitful week!
Comments
Julie M.:
I just happened across this post. I absolutely love this! I want to live my life by the fruit of the spirit. If we would all but love each other as the Lord commanded, Him first and everyone else next, the world would be so muxh better. Thanks for your encouragement. Due to the lack of wholesome programming (commercials are often more than we can bear) these days we tend to watch a lot of Duck Dynasty reruns on hulu and sling. Thank you for being true to your faith, you help our family feel good, we are trying to live good lives that are more about God and less about this world! Love and God bless you all!
May 07, 2019
Marsha Spencer:
I admire your family so much and how you publicly praise God. You are truly an inspiration and example to the world!
Sep 13, 2016
Kelly:
Thank you Kids : )
God Bless you all.
Hugs
Aug 17, 2016
Anne Cardot:
There’s nothing like encouragement from other Christian woman who are in a similar stage of life. Watching our children grow up and get married is such an adjustment. Loosening our grip on them and finding joy and peace in all of our new circumstances is challenging at times. Exercising the fruits of the spirit is so important in this transition. What helps me most is selflessness. When I keep that in check, everything else seems to fall in place. Eyes on Jesus. ❤
Aug 12, 2016
The Crumbackers :
This sounds like an amazing vacation with your family. i hope you guys enjoy every moment spent together and take lots of pictures. I hope you post some amazing pictures of your journey so we all can see how beautiful it is as well. Your devotionals are something I look forward to reading and I absolutely love them. Thanks so much for sharing. Look forward to seeing some pictures.
Out family loves you guy, have a great time!
Love,
The Crumbackers (in Maryland)
( by the way, I hope to one day get to meet each and everyone of you guys) #1 FAN Of the Robertsons.
Aug 06, 2016
Heather Perry:
Sounds like an amazing vacation. God’s beauty at it best! Heading out west will be our next big family adventure… after the one we are about to take, that is. We are going to load up the camper and drive to the Creation Museum & Ark in KY, and then on to West Monroe. We are looking forward to visiting… especially my 8 year old Ellie who asked if she could have a play date with Mia. It was so sweet! There is nothing like spending time with family and those you love most in the world, and I love driving cross country! So much fun! We bought an old camper for the trip. So old in fact, that we had to rip out the old carpet and replace it haha! So, hoping we make it down to LA in it. It will not be a dull vacation… whether we make it down or not haha! God Bless! Enjoy your vacation! And if you make it back home by the 12th or so… maybe we’ll see you around town : )
Aug 02, 2016
Mariah:
You wouldn’t be going to Havasupai, would you? My brother and his girlfriend hiked that a couple of years ago. Pictures are AMAZING! If you go there, pray for my brother. He desperately needs God. Desperately.
Aug 02, 2016
Terri:
I love this challenge. It’s going to be a good week
Aug 02, 2016
Sonia:
Dear Robertson family,
welcome to our home,Az! Enjoy the Canyon and be ready to hike with a gallon of water apiece, minimum. We live and ranch in the opposite corner of the state, 7 hours of driving, so just come on by lol. We are big fans. Happy to have you!
Aug 01, 2016
Risa:
Have a wonderful time on your trip. I love that Reed was the one who thought of the idea. That’s a young man who loves his mama, dad and siblings, and will be a good husband and dad himself, one day. I’m going to take your idea and use it with my family. We often show less patience to those closest to us and that’s not how it should be. God bless and safe travels!
Aug 01, 2016
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