Saturday, September 27, 2014

Fruits of the Spirit


Lately, I have been feeling overwhelmed and stressed out...mostly about life in general,
I think sometimes we all need a little reminder that we don't have to do it all
and that we certainly, don't have to do it all on our own.

As moms, we are always trying to do too much and most of it is just not necessary.

we strive to be our best with such super high expectations of ourselves that when we 
fail (and let's face it, we all fail, no one is perfect)....we feel defeated.
we feel like we've let someone down, be it our children, our spouses, ourselves.

Recently, when I was feeling stressed and beating myself up about 
not accomplishing all my goals for the week and for overeating due to the stress, which followed by self loathing,...which led to me yelling at everyone for my lack of control and patience....which then led to a little scolding from my hubby for being so unkind to not only our kids, but to him as well.

I said a little prayer asking for grace and grabbed my Bible.

I placed it on the table and let the pages fall where they may, 
hoping for some Godly sign to bring me peace of mind.

this is the verse that popped up....

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

Wow, God really has a way of hitting home, doesn't He?

I realized that while I was yelling at my husband because I felt so out of control, that God was working through him to show me just what I needed to see....

Instead of blowing up at me for yelling at him, my husband spoke to me with a kindness and understanding patience.  He didn't lose self control and blow up at me for blowing up at him.
He showed me compassion and love and gentleness and patience and goodness and kindness.

As I was reading the verse in the Bible and praying, I thanked God for showing me mercy through my husband.

I knew I needed to take a break from the stress, the homework, the need to "do it all" and just relax.

I went to the art closet and gathered some supplies and just let the creativity flow.


painting is so relaxing...


I wasn't exactly sure what I was going to paint, but God did....

I painted a tree and then took an apple and stamped it on the tree.


Next, I printed out all the words of the fruits of the spirit and glued them to the apples.

I hung my painting on the fridge, as a virtual reminder for when I'm feeling overwhelmed or stressed
and lacking self control.

God speaks to us all the time, we just need to open our hearts and listen.





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