Fruit of the Spirit - Is it our faith... or His Faithfulness?

Oh, to be able to just reach up and pick a fruit off a tree and be able to partake of it immediately... but Galatians 5:22 says that faith is a fruit of the Holy Spirit.  He is at work in our lives, but the fruit isn't immediate.

Some days, instead, I feel as if all I am getting is the flesh of the bruised fruit itself.  I have totally side-stepped the true covering of the fruit's outer skin that protects it from the elements outside.  It is God's faithfulness, not our own faith that we must count on. 

Some days, I have missed the solid flesh inside that produces the flavour and the juice that supplements the body with specific nutritional benefits that we so obviously need.  I need the dynamic taste of the Word  and the flowing juices of prayer on a daily basis to be able to "walk in the Spirit" in the fullness of His strength and conditioning.

Then some days, and I have missed the seeds, which, when planted and fully grown, will produce a whole tree that will re-produce and bring much more fruit.  Fruit that I can share with others in their daily walks as well.

Fortunately, God does offer the whole fruit.  It IS ours for the asking and when He gives it, it is in the Fullness of the Father's Love!   I know I try not to give bruised or battered fruit to my girls.  How much more does He desire to give us the Holy Spirit when we ask Him?

One of the young gals at the Christian School got baptized in Holy Spirit on Sunday.  He is at work in her life in a powerful way and I praise God for where He is taking her. 

LORD, may all of the children (and adults) attached to CVCS grab hold of Holy Spirit.  Please work in our lives that we may all be able to live in the Spirit, so that we are able to walk in the Spirit without stumbling.  AMEN!

• But the fruit of the Spirit is: love, joy, peace, long-suffering, kindness, goodness, faith, meekness, self-control; against such things there is no law. But those belonging to Christ have crucified the flesh with its passions and lusts. If we live in the Spirit, let us also walk in the Spirit.
  (Gal 5:22-25 MKJV)