Category: Fruit

Posted on in Food and Nutrition, Fruit, Gratitude, Journey of Grace, Life is Short, Miscellaneous, Wisdom, Worship

God’s Good Gravy

This week, I heard a new-to-me term: the good gravy of God. I had to laugh because it just happens to be the week of Thanksgiving. Even before I heard an explanation, I understood that gravy isn’t the main thing, it is the “extra.”

Psalm 103 talks about some of God’s benefits, including healing, redemption, love, grace, and compassion. All of these are wonderful, but they are just “gravy” compared to the forgiveness and reconciliation we have through Jesus.

Really think about that for a minute. Romans 8:32 says, “He who did not spare His own Son, but gave Him up for us all—how will He not also, along with Him, graciously give us all things?”

Jesus fills our individual lives with good things, too. Blessings. Gravy. Benefits. Extras. Bonuses. Over the top. This week, I am filled with gratitude for all He has done for me. It is a good time to reflect.

Free Biscuit Gravy photo and picture

God’s good gravy is pure grace. You and I may enjoy different amounts of gravy slathered over our food (I like a lot!), but God’s grace is always abundant…. superabundant, in fact. There’s no way we can contain it!

Lately, I have been more aware of His daily blessings, such as special moments with Jesus in the morning. He has given me inward peace. I have such a gift in Lydia, as well as a beautiful home and all that goes with that… warmth, plenty of food, protection. The Lord keeps coming through for me at work and helps me get back and forth safely, too. Thank You, Jesus!

I hope you have a wonderful Thanksgiving and take some time to consider all of God’s benefits for His beloved children. A good parent, He only wants what is best for us. And, He is more than capable of blessing us.

That said, it’s not about the benefits and blessings… the stuff. It’s about drawing close to the One who loves us most and relishing His grace and goodness. He won’t give us anything that pulls us away from Him.

May we have wisdom to see Jesus at work around us and understand all of God’s good gravy in our lives. He has an everlasting and eternal supply, and He loves going over the top on our behalf!

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Father God, You are so good and gracious. Thanks for all Your grace and love. May we seek You more than all You do for us. In Jesus’ Name, Amen

Questions: Are you doing anything exciting for Thanksgiving? When it comes to gravy, do you have a preference on type or quantity?!

Task: Make a list of all your blessings and praise God. Whether on turkey, mashed potatoes, or even biscuits, next time you have gravy, pause and give God thanks!

Posted on in Finding Grace Weekly Recap, Fruit, Gratitude, Journey of Grace, Life is Short, Miscellaneous, Parenting, Personality

Finding Grace #507

You may have seen the acronym GRACE as God’s Riches At Christ’s Expense. Grace is also God’s unmerited favor, or God doing for us what we cannot.

I find grace overflowing with God’s love, joy, peace, blessings, mercy, power, provision, protection, and wisdom. Thank You, Jesus!

Free Fall Waterfall photo and picture

Where did I find God’s love and favor—His abundant grace—this week?!

This was a red-letter week full of many blessings!

On Sunday, Lydia and I had an awesome day at church. It was fun to see how we are connected to so many people in God’s family!

This week, I had my performance evaluation at work. It has been a wild year with a lot going on, but by God’s grace, I received my highest ranking ever! I was pleasantly surprised and want to give Jesus all the glory!

On Tuesday night, I was asked to teach a lesson on personality traits and spiritual gifts at church. There were sixteen people, and I had them complete two brief assessments. Then we discussed their answers and some details to consider. I have not done that in a few years, so it felt really good. I was right in my element! I was honored that a couple of people heard I was teaching and came to hear me speak. And, the pastor in charge of that group asked me to come back again in two weeks to share more!

Yesterday, Lydia turned fourteen! She is such a blessing. To celebrate, we had one of her friends spend the night. They watched a movie and ate snacks. 🙂 Then, today, I took them to the movies to see Wicked: For Good. It was somewhat sad, but it was well done!

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These are only a few examples, but God’s grace never runs out!

There’s grace in every situation—we just need to look for it. God promises if we seek Him, we will find Him (see Jeremiah 29:13)!

Posted on in Being Gracious, Fear/Don't Fake Brave, Fruit, Kindness, Life is Short, Miscellaneous, Perseverance, Pivot, Wisdom

A Higher Calling

Today, I’m going to jump right in… Bear with me, please and thank you!

I recently read an online post that mentioned something to the effect of “judge not, lest you be judged.” You can read more in Matthew 7:1-5, but Jesus meant to take care of your own sin before pointing out the same problem in others. Ironically, the half-truth came from someone whose life is a mess, to put it nicely. They have made some really poor decisions, yet want to tell everyone else how to live. Hmmm.

Indeed, Christians are required to judge the conduct and spiritual fruit of other Christians. It is wise to examine the behavior of people who claim to love God, as well as those who don’t. We must discern who is pointing us to Jesus and who is dragging our attention away from Him. We are called to test and weigh spiritual matters. Let’s do it with humility and integrity.

At the same time, we cannot hold non-Christians accountable for Christian standards because they are spiritually dead. They may have a sense of morality and have an inkling of who God is (Romans 1), but it’s not the same. In fact, a post I saw last night said, “Satan is not opposed to good morals. He is opposed to Jesus Christ.” We can’t expect the world to understand or get on board so simply — we must demonstrate who Jesus really is.

Free Avenue Trees photo and picture

Another recent online post was from someone who is all about promoting goodwill, equality, and equity. We absolutely should offer merciful compassion and seek justice, but sadly, these often get twisted. In reviewing our current political climate, this person implied it is “un-Christian” to pause certain social programs, as if that were the end goal. They flat-out deny wanting anything to do with Jesus, but they want to hold people to that perceived standard.

Professing our faith and living for Jesus Christ is not for the faint of heart. It is easy to want to hide out and ignore all the drama this world brings. Especially when we feel pressured, censored, and mocked. We must remember our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the dark spiritual forces of this world (Ephesians 6:12). We are citizens of Heaven (Philippians 3:20), but we must make the most of our time here! Because of Jesus, we can bravely run into battle, not away from it.

Christians are called to a higher standard—to imitate Jesus Christ and draw people to Him. Salt and Light, Grace and Truth. Kindness, hospitality, generosity, and self-sacrifice. Helping the poor, sick, and marginalized. It’s not about adding more to our to-do list, but showing God’s love in practical ways. Yet, how we use our resources will look different for each of us in the context of community. The point is that we have to be consistent in how we represent Jesus. We must follow through and not drop the ball.

On Monday, in my class, we talked about building authentic connections with others and sharing Jesus’ love with them. We can open hearts with simple conversations and show excellence in all we do. As one speaker said, “If you are lazy, prideful, rude, and negative… no one wants that!” We cannot just do the minimum. We must set an example for others in speech, conduct, love, faith, and purity (1 Timothy 4:12), so that they ask what makes you different. Jesus!

Of course, we cannot do this on our own. That’s why we have the Holy Spirit and the Church (each other!). Sure, we have our flaws, but praise God, we will one day be made perfect in Jesus. Let’s minister to our local communities with cheerfulness and initiative. There are always challenges, but loving one another well draws outsiders into the heart of God.

Bottom line: All of us deserve eternal damnation in Hell because we fall short of the glory of God, and the wages of sin is death (Romans 3:23, Romans 6:23). We cannot earn our salvation, but there is hope! “God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life” (John 3:16). “God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us” (Romans 5:8) It is by grace we have been saved through faith (Ephesians 2), so let us run this race with endurance (Hebrews 12).

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Heavenly Father, forgive us when we fall short or give people reason to doubt You. Help us spread Your grace, love, peace, and joy to others. May we be quick to help in times of need. May we consistently show up and follow through. In Jesus’ Name, Amen

Questions: Where are you at in all of this? Are you with Jesus or the world? Are you living out your higher calling, found only in Him? Or are you playing with fire and trying to do it all on your own?

Task: Check your heart and see where you really stand with Jesus Christ. Read Romans 10:9 and the other verses linked above. If you aren’t sure, message me at nat.grace.lemonade@gmail.com. I’d love to connect.

Posted on in Fear/Don't Fake Brave, Fruit, Life is Short, Miscellaneous, Perseverance, Pivot, Prayer, Wisdom

Command, Promise, Risk

Today, at work, I get to do my quarterly BLS practice! BLS stands for Basic Life Support, and it is helpful (mandatory) to keep my CPR credentials up to date. We have an adult mannikin and a little baby one at work. It is fairly simple, though not necessarily easy. In my experience, the mannikins can be a little finicky!

I thought the timing was ironic because on Sunday, our pastor mentioned another acronym for CPR. Instead of CardioPulmonary Resuscitation, he reframed it as Command, Promise, Risk.

We were talking about the prophet, Elijah, in 1 Kings 17. He stood up in his generation, and God used him greatly. Elijah spoke against evil and demonstrated God’s power in legendary ways. By faith, Elijah prophesied that no rain would fall on Israel because they had abandoned the one true God. This eventually led to a showdown between Elijah and the prophets of Baal. As if that wasn’t enough, hundreds of years later, he was with Jesus and Moses on the mountain of Transfiguration!

Free Heart Sunrise photo and picture

Regarding CPR, our pastor explained that God gives us a Command and a Promise. But, we need to take the Risk and obey. So many times, we want the promise of reward, but fail to follow through by taking the first step. There is no reward without risk!

Risks are one sure way to ‘get your heart pumping!’ But we don’t have to give in to fear. God will provide for anything He sets in motion. Follow His command, and He will bring His promise to pass.

Taking the leap of faith is risky, and maybe you don’t feel like you have that much faith. Yet, you only need a little—think mustard seed—and you don’t have to have all the answers first. Trust God’s heart.

Each of us may struggle on our own, but when we come together, we are stronger. Showing up and taking a risk, even when you don’t feel like it, can actually be a boost to someone else. We can “borrow” the faith we ourselves need from others, and we can give that support, too. Soon, our hearts are pumping in unison and God is glorified in us!

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God, thanks for being with us in life’s challenges. Help us take the risks and obey Your commands. We don’t do it to obtain a reward, but to glorify You. Help us be faithful. In Jesus’ Name, Amen

Questions: What is a risk God is asking you to take right now? What is His command, and what is His promise to you once you take the risk? Is there someone who can cheer you on?

Task: Don’t rely on your own strength today. Lean on God and take the risky first step of faith… then watch how He moves on your behalf!

Posted on in Being Gracious, Fruit, Gratitude, Kindness, Little Free Library, Miscellaneous, Parenting, Perseverance, Personality, Wisdom, Words

Be Kind, Not Just Nice

My mom, Debbie, had what some people have called the face of an angel. Funny, I know! But several people have told me that lately, and Mom also heard that often. 😀 I suppose people think “cherub” when considering the unique shape of her face combined with her cheerful, sunny side! She looked so sweet and nice.

That said, Mom was often vocal about things that mattered to her. Not content just to talk, she often got involved, too! She volunteered at various places, including women’s shelters and pregnancy centers. She loved being hands-on.

For instance, Mom volunteered at our local schools for many years as a “mother helper,” even after her kids were out of those grades. Perhaps she was most passionate about listening to kids practice their reading. She patiently would help them “sound it out,” and she would call out their other strengths. In some ways, she was the parent they needed at the time. One boy struggled throughout school and did not seem to have much support at home. But, he always reminded himself that Mrs. Yeagle believed in him. As an adult, he later tracked Mom down to thank her for the difference she made in his life. He didn’t know how he would’ve made it otherwise.

Volunteering is good and nice—absolutely. Being community-focused is vital. But there is a difference between being nice and being kind.

Romans 2:4 explains that “the kindness of God leads us to repentance.” Mom demonstrated this whenever “Debbie Torpedo” came around. She wasn’t just nice, she was also kind. She spoke the truth in love so people would change. (Change doesn’t usually occur with badgering and belittling!)

Being nice is not a fruit of the Spirit, but kindness is! An example of being nice is complimenting someone. Kindness is letting them know they have a piece of spinach in their teeth. It is nice to greet someone on a hike. Kindness means telling them they are walking directly toward a tricky drop-off. They may still choose to proceed, but you warned them. More importantly, telling people about Jesus’ love and the consequences of sin can impact their eternity. It is worth the risk!

Mom often influenced other women as they parented their young children. When a mom caved at her child’s whining or temper tantrum, my mom would say, “You wouldn’t let me treat you that way. Why are you letting your three-year-old act like that? Be the parent.” Usually, the woman caught on and learned how to correct her child. Mom would coach her until she was confident, explaining that it is good for children to have boundaries.

The tough love approach can be intimidating sometimes. It takes a lot of courage to speak up! But Mom empowered these ladies to do what was needed. She showed them what they could be, and many of them thanked her later.

As a mother myself, I appreciate good advice. Thankfully, Mom didn’t have to tell me to “be the parent” specifically, but I have seen these situations fester. Over time, a child might stop being invited somewhere if they don’t behave well. This affects their future friendships and opportunities. A child that lacks discipline becomes a hindrance and a liability of sorts. Frankly, they are not fun to be around! So, my mom was doing a kindness in pointing that out to those who would listen.

Bottom line: Being nice is a good start. But niceness is not enough. We must also accept the challenge of being kind.

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God, thanks for Your lovingkindness. Thanks for loving us enough to correct us when we need it. Help us be wise with our words so we may be kind and draw people to You. In Jesus’ Name, Amen

Questions: What would it look like for you to speak with kindness today? What if God was only nice to us, not kind? (I find that to be a little scary!)

Tasks: Consider your words before speaking. Think through whether the situation calls for being nice or being kind. If you don’t know, ask the Lord to show you!

 

Posted on in Being Gracious, Fear, Faith, and Moving Forward book, Fear/Don't Fake Brave, Finding Grace Weekly Recap, Fruit, Gratitude, Journey of Grace, Kindness, Life is Short, Miscellaneous, Parenting, Perfectionism, Pivot, Prayer, Travel, Words, Worship

Finding Grace #455

You may have seen the acronym GRACE as God’s Riches At Christ’s Expense. Grace is also God’s unmerited favor, or God doing for us what we cannot.

I find grace overflowing with God’s love, joy, peace, blessings, mercy, power, provision, protection, and wisdom. Thank You, Jesus!

Free Forest Path photo and picture

Where did I find God’s love and favor—His abundant grace—this week?!

This week was thankfully less busy than the last two.

Sundays have been more relaxing since we’ve been attending the early church service. We’ve had time to prepare for the next week at a slower pace. It feels like a longer day and I feel more refreshed!

Work was a bit slower, though still steady. I simply had less patients scheduled but still got a lot of things done. It was nice to have a lighter load. As such, I had time to call some extra patients and finish a few small projects.

We received a few inches of snow on Tuesday night and Wednesday. I did a little shoveling but left the main part for the snow service. It is nice to have them come help me, though I still do a fair amount of work throughout the season!

Lydia’s birthday was on Thursday, and she was tickled by the special letter I wrote for her! She wanted to go to dinner and then watch a movie at home with some ice cream. In a way, we have already been celebrating for a week or two. That’s becaue she received various gifts when my mother-in-law visited and through the mail from family.

Friday after work, I ran a few errands and then called my mom to catch up. We had a great time chatting and it is always so encouraging. Later, my dad called to say hi, too. I always appreciate those calls!

Today, we saw Wicked (part 1) at the movie theater. I saw the Broadway production years ago, but it was fun to introduce Lydia to it. In fact, I like Wicked better than the Wizard of Oz! The movie version had some fun cameos and great music. The flying monkeys were still a little scary, though!

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These are only a few examples, but God’s grace never runs out!

There’s grace in every situation—we just need to look for it. God promises if we seek Him, we will find Him (see Jeremiah 29:13)!

Posted on in Finding Grace Weekly Recap, Food and Nutrition, Fruit, Gratitude, Life is Short, Miscellaneous

Finding Grace #449

You may have seen the acronym GRACE as God’s Riches At Christ’s Expense. Grace is also God’s unmerited favor, or God doing for us what we cannot.

I find grace overflowing with God’s love, joy, peace, blessings, mercy, power, provision, protection, and wisdom. Thank You, Jesus!

Where did I find God’s love and favor—His abundant grace—this week?!

This week was full of a special kind of grace, a sweet mix of work and rest.

Work was busy, like usual, but somehow, it all turned out well. I was able to stay on top of my charting and help a few of my coworkers. I am grateful for God’s help!

On Wednesday, I had the opportunity to meet and listen to a well-known plant-based doctor and researcher speak at the Fargo Theater downtown. Dr. Neal Barnard lives in the Washington, DC area, but he grew up in Fargo! I have many plant-based nutrition books, but I bought one of his new ones so he could sign it. 🙂 He said he wanted to clone me as a dietitian! 🙂 He was very down-to-earth, and his sister and three brothers sat behind me. Dr. Barnard was an excellent speaker, so funny and relatable. Naturally, he talked a lot about fruits, veggies, and antioxidants! Indeed, I may use some of his examples for my own patients. It was a really cool event, and I will keep thinking about it in the coming days!

Before that, I went back to Trefoil Park and noticed even more fall colors since I was there last week. I spent quite a while walking around and taking pictures. In fact, this was a great week for nature walks! I went to Lindenwood Park (ND) and Gooseberry Park (MN) on Friday to do the same, and I also walked around my neighborhood on a hunt for pretty trees! It was a gorgeous week!

Today, Lydia and I have mostly relaxed. I worked on a few small projects and made some vegetable soup. We are rewatching The Chosen and might play a game, too!

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These are only a few examples, but God’s grace never runs out!

There’s grace in every situation—we just need to look for it. God promises if we seek Him, we will find Him (see Jeremiah 29:13)!

Posted on in Food and Nutrition, Fruit, Gratitude, Miscellaneous, Parenting

Autumnal Antioxidants

It’s amazing how two days can make such a difference in autumnal colors! I took a picture of one of my maple trees on Sunday and then again yesterday. It was a much brighter red! You can see what I mean on my blog Facebook page.

Right after I took the picture yesterday, Lydia told me what she is learning in science class. She is learning about photosynthesis, cell respiration, and fermentation. She described aerobic and anaerobic processes, simple sugar molecules, and leaf pigments. Soon, we tied this back to our maple tree; as the chlorophyll reduces, all the other colors show through!

Lydia was shocked that I understood and use these scientific concepts several times a week in gut health and general nutrition. I explained that leaf pigments show us the antioxidants represented by their colors and how this carries over to plant foods. I always tell my patients to eat the colors of the rainbow when eating fruits and vegetables. They are helpful for cancer prevention, managing blood sugar, protecting the heart, calming down inflammation in the body, and much more! So, if you have pain or health concerns, consider how you can increase your produce!

Free Raspberries Blueberries photo and picture

Two examples of powerful antioxidants are carotenoids and anthocyanins. Carotenoids are a large family, and beta-carotene is a precursor to vitamin A. It is found in carrots and sweet potatoes, for instance. Anthocyanins are found in red, blue, and purple fruits and vegetables. Think of eggplants, red onions, blueberries, blackberries, and dark grapes. Additionally, green foods contain chlorophyll and other antioxidants, as well as those in the red, yellow, and orange color groups. The darker the color, the more antioxidants. Thus, the blues and greens are among the most nutrient-dense foods on the planet! But, even lighter whites, like onions, potatoes, and cauliflower count!

Plants, such as fruits and vegetables, are nutritional powerhouses! In addition to antioxidants, they also have tons of vitamins, minerals, and fiber. They are low in calories, which means they can help someone lose weight while maximizing nutrients. Just about everyone should eat a wide variety of produce every day.

However, a few people do need to be wise with their choices. Whole fruits and vegetables are typically better than juices because of the fiber. Certain people have chewing difficulties, so maybe they need softer, cooked items. Or, if someone has kidney stones, they may need to reduce those high in oxalates. Some may need to choose lower potassium options, but most Americans simply don’t eat enough fruits or vegetables! Sadly, many people think fruit-flavored cereal or treats, or powdered vegetable supplements are the same.

Free Fruits Fresh photo and picture

I am so blessed that God makes nutrition so practical (and tasty!). Nutrition is not rocket science; much of it is common sense. God made it fun and pleasant to eat His provision. We can eat according to what is in season and save a little money (fresh, frozen, or canned). What grace! But, it can still be challenging since people get confused by what they see or read online. I often have to bust through nutrition myths. 

Anyway, I enjoyed connecting with Lydia on a topic we can both use and understand. I might have “nerded out” a little on her when explaining the glucose and fructose metabolism, but I know she still loves me. 😉

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God, thanks for helping us understand how You made the world, especially in ways that help our bodies. Thanks for providing us with good, healthy food. May we delight in You. In Jesus’ Name, Amen

Questions: What are your favorite fruits and veggies? How are you incorporating them into your meals this season?

Task: Aim to eat the best quality food you can afford across all food groups. Check out this helpful website for ways to eat more fruits and veggies!

 

 

Posted on in Being Gracious, Fruit, Gratitude, Kindness, Life is Short, Miscellaneous, Perfectionism, Perseverance, Personality, Pivot, Wisdom

A Secret Weapon

The last couple of weeks have been a bit…maddening. I’ve lost my temper once or twice and been a little grouchy. Some of it could be subconsciously being aware that the eleventh anniversary of Dave’s death is next week. But really, things have just built up.

At home, unexpected issues have popped up, including trouble replacing my screens after getting egged and picking up a ton of dog poop from my yard (though I don’t have a dog). Then, the fence at the edge of my property fell again (after a two-year fight to get it put back up). It’s just been a lot lately.

I’ve been tempted to have a little pity party, thinking things would be easier if Dave were still here. While that may be true, I know life is full of problems, so even then, something else would likely happen unexpectedly! I can be grateful my problems are not worse, and I know many people are facing greater trials.

Work has been busy as usual, too. Good, just not much downtime to think straight. LOL Thus, my patience has been a little short, but I have been trying to bring all these things to Jesus. I talked with my mom yesterday, and she reminded me that His joy is my strength!

“Rejoice always, pray continually, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.” — 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18, NIV

I recently heard Jesus was the most joyful person who has ever lived. In His presence is fullness of joy (Psalm 16:11)! But He also had a very difficult life. He was born to suffer and die at my expense (and yours!). If Jesus can have abundant joy despite His circumstances, so can I.

Joy is a fruit of the Holy Spirit, which means He wants to grow that in me. The seed has been planted, I just need to cultivate it. This goes for love, peace, patience, etc.

Fruit is meant to be shared with others, to refresh and encourage them, similar to grace. As my mom pointed out, God wants people to see Him in us, so how we display the fruits of the Spirit matters. This is a good reminder to keep looking for ways to serve others and take the focus off myself.

Here are some questions to consider: Do I show joy or grouchiness on my face? Do I bring love and peace to a situation or chaos? Am I loving, kind, and patient even when I don’t get my way? Do I call out the good in others? Do I speak gentle words or bring wrath? Am I faithful even when it costs me? Do I show self-control when life flings out of control?

While I don’t expect my house issues to suddenly disappear, I know they will all work out in time. And I can choose to enjoy life in the meantime. I can find fun and creative things to do, or at least look for ways to bring joy into small moments of my day. Joy is my secret weapon as I stay close to Jesus, for therein lies my strength (Nehemiah 8:10).

When things feel out of control, I will take them to the One who controls the Universe and cares for me infinitely (1 Peter 5:7).

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God, thanks for the fruits of Your Holy Spirit. Specifically, help me cultivate more peace, joy, and patience as I work through these challenges. Thanks for all You do for me. In Jesus’ Name, Amen

Questions: Out of the nine fruits of the Holy Spirit, which ones do you need to cultivate the most right now?  (Galatians 5:22-23)

Task: Next time you feel bent out of shape, consider why. Do whatever it takes to protect your peace and joy. Remember, people are looking for Jesus in you!

Posted on in Food and Nutrition, Fruit, Gratitude, Life is Short, Miscellaneous, Words

A “Walk-By Fruiting”

Recently, I had a really funny patient who wanted to make some nutrition changes. He loves cooking and preparing meals for his family, which is good because he said his wife only knows how to order pizza for her turn in the kitchen!

This Veteran made me laugh and certainly had unique ways of saying things. For instance, he said that butter means love in his family. So, when someone makes potatoes or toast (or whatever!), they “add a little love.” He had been “adding a lot of love” based on his lab work! Yet, he had already made a break with butter by the time we met. He was still using some but had reduced it.

He also “had a feeling” for Baby Ruth candy bars since he associates them with comfort and good memories of his youth. Regarding my recommendations, the Veteran was willing to get rid of something else, if needed, and leave those alone. I was 100% okay with that since he is not eating too many.

Finally, he used the phrase “walk-by fruiting” to describe the little basket of fresh fruit in their walkway between the kitchen and living room. If he is hungry, he can grab a piece of fruit as he walks by! It makes total sense, right?!

March is National Nutrition Month, and of course, fruit is food! But, fruit is also used to describe evidence of growing closer to God and becoming like Jesus through the power of the Holy Spirit (Galatians 5:22). Words matter, and I have been thinking of walk-by fruitings ever since!

Whenever I read my Bible or hear a verse from Scripture, I will think… walk-by fruiting! It’s catchy and encouraging! Whenever I reconnect with God during my day to find new strength… yes, that’s a walk-by fruiting!

I am also reminded that one of my friends had a funny word for extra food after a meal. Many of us call them leftovers, but he called them “remainders” like he learned when doing long division in math class. Spot on, really!

That is not too much of a stretch here. Jesus calls us to remain in Him; in doing so, we will bear much fruit. Just by staying connected, we can’t help but grow. Conversely, if we cut ourselves off, our faith will wither and die. It’s not really about doing more but resting in God’s love. Jesus has already done the most difficult work on the Cross.

Remaining in Jesus is a matter of the heart as we let Him position us where He wants us. So, let’s remain close to Jesus because we have Life and Victory in Him!

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Father, thanks for showing us new things daily through the people we meet. Open our eyes and hearts so we can learn and grow. Help us stay close to you. In Jesus’ Name, Amen

Question: Does your family have any cute sayings that have carried through the years?

Task: As you connect with God throughout your day, think about the growth that will occur over time. It takes diligence and intention, but I hope you are encouraged and keep coming back for walk-by fruitings!