Not Too Poetry

My ‘uncle’ George died in his nineties – he was one of our neighbours while growing up.  He and auntie Sheila were part of the network of homes we were welcome in, in what felt like an open plan street – low fences, regular parties, shared holidays, shared tools and time. That was the 60s and 70s, and I still thank God for the foundations that those years gave me.  My parents are passed now, but the tie to those memories is strong.

On Monday we gathered to reminisce, to pray, to listen to his favourite music and to sing two gospel hymns, chosen by George.  His family spoke of his legacy in the example he set to live life to the full. I felt grateful.

May died in her 70s, a gentle woman who I got to know through church – born Singapore, coming to London via the US.  A woman who loved beauty, made jewelry, and never missed an opportunity to give credit to God for her life and loves. The lives she touched spoke of her wisdom, care, warmth and generosity.

On Friday the church and family gathered to tell her story, to pray and sing, and to watch a video of May telling of her love for the Lord. I noticed that the songs were more upbeat this time.  And I felt the same gratefulness.

I’m grateful that we get to tell our story while we’re here, that we get to display in our words and deeds what holds most value for us.  May’s daughter, Nicole, listed the fruit of the Spirit – love, joy, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control – and reflected that this was her mother. 

Last night I met with friends to pray and our prayer was that when our friends and family gather to celebrate our lives, they’ll be able to say the same of us.  That each day we will grow to produce that same fruit, until we get to meet the master gardener.

Growth

It’s about GROWTH. It’s about what type of fruit inevitability grows. But you don’t get to pick and choose, you don’t get to specialise – you can’t specify your choice of variety, no, it’s a job-lot, in its entirety. But don’t get stressed, it’s not about yield or performance, it’s not a contest.  It’s about the kind of person you express, the flavour of person others will taste when you’re most hard pressed. It’s about the fruit of God’s Spirit, the overflowing character of Jesus. But don’t fret, don’t ever boast – because it’s all about your GROWTH.

Galatians 5. 22-23: But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law.