FRUIT!!!!!!!
I see fruit all around me. But mainly in the people I see daily.
I’ve been noticing how full my life feels lately. It’s not overwhelmingly full; it’s a gentle and nourishing one. The kind of fullness that doesn’t come from achievement or business, but from people. From friendship.
There was a season and a version of myself that was pruned in every way possible. Emotionally, Spiritually, and Physically.
Things I thought defined me were cut away. Plans, dreams, and versions of myself I wanted were taken. I remember waiting in this season for something big and miraculous to change overnight— for fruit to appear as proof that my pruning had a purpose.
I kept waiting to be in a season where I was bearing fruit. But pruning is not the absence of life. The whole tree is never pruned all at once. It is preparation for life, to take away what was not giving the tree nutrients to live fully. If you feel like you are in a season of pruning, whether you are realizing it right now or it has been a word on your heart for a while now, this is your invitation to receive instead of produce.
When the Bible talks about love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control, it’s not so we can admire our own growth. It is not personal achievement. It’s so others can taste it. Be nourished by it. Be changed by it. Hopefully, after the pruning season, they can radiate these gifts to the people around them.
I see this in my friends.
I see LOVE that pours out freely in hugs, laughs, and conversations.
JOY that spills over into everyone nearby, making the whole room laugh.
PEACE that settles a soul dealing with heartbreak and hurt.
PATIENCE that reminds me the world can wait, there is no need to hurry.
KINDNESS and GOODNESS that expect nothing in return.
FAITHFULNESS that stirs up the Holy Spirit in car rides, walks, and every conversation.
GENTLENESS that listens and comforts on long days.
SELF-CONTROL that chooses grace and forgiveness, reminding me to have it as well.
I thought fruit would mean doing, producing, becoming. But sometimes fruit looks like being sustained. Like allowing yourself to be fed by the faithfulness and obedience of others.
Fruit is not grown for itself. It is a gift.
And I am surrounded by it.
I am blessed by friends who are nourishment in a world that is starving. Friends who are walking with the Spirit.
“If you abide in me, and my words abide in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be done for you. By this, my Father is glorified, that you bear much fruit and so prove to be my disciples. As the Father has loved me, so have I loved you. Abide in my love.”
John 15:7-9
For those who are still waiting for community, waiting for friendships, waiting to feel full again, know this: God is not late. Seasons of pruning are often when you are being prepared for something bigger. He is preparing places for you to be known, loved, and fed in ways you cannot yet see. Rest where you are and receive what is offered!