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. (NASB)

We all enjoy receiving gifts and gifting others. Gifts can be given or received at any time of the year, and when we give or receive them from the heart, they are very special.

A few days ago, my husband and I watched our great grandson and great granddaughter in a special gifting moment. Each child took gifts out of their gift bag. Our 4-year-old Zannah saw that her 9-year-old brother Buddy didn't get a sticker book, but she got two. Out of love for her brother, she sweetly said, "Here, Buddy. Now we each have a sticker book."

The beauty of love that we saw in those moments showed that some gifts can't be wrapped, because they are the essence of love. Love motivates us to look for another person's well-being. Zannah sized up the situation that included her brother.

From a believer in Christ, that kind of understanding and action represents a fruit of the Spirit. We can't wrap fruits of the Spirit, although through them, we can be motivated to give gifts that can be wrapped or unwrapped.

To act from a fruit of the Spirit is holy, because God prompts it. Think about a time when you felt despair, and someone encouraged you. Think about a time when you felt deep sadness, and someone listened to you. Think about a time when you were exceptionally rude, and someone treated you with patience. Think of a time when you walked away from an argument to keep the peace. Think of a time when someone showed humility so that you weren't embarrassed. At some time, we have all benefitted by one of these graces, and we have all shown them. These are all gifts of the Spirit that cannot be wrapped.

It would be interesting, in a day, to look for the number of gifts of the Spirit that we receive from or give to someone else.

Prayer: Dear heavenly Father, we thank You for the mercy and grace that You have taught us to show. We ask You to place these behaviours uppermost in our hearts and minds so that we are ready to share with someone an unwrapped gift from Your Holy Spirit. Amen.

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About the author:

Karen Milam <karenbmilam@gmail.com>
Penn Valley, California, USA
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