The Importance of Being There
I have much to write to you, but I do not want to use paper and ink. Instead, I hope to visit you and talk with you face to face, so that our joy may be complete.—2 John 1:12 (NIV)
What a stack of blessing you have piled up for those who worship you, ready and waiting for all who run to you…. Blessed God! His love is the wonder of the world.—PSALM 31:19, 21 MSG
In Galatians 5:22, we read that “the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, [and] faithfulness” (ESV). When have we ever needed more love, joy, peace, and so on than during the caregiving experience? We’re in one of the most challenging periods of our lives. Aren’t we glad God promised that as we grow in the Spirit these wonderful qualities become ever more available? Caregiving takes all the spiritual nourishment we can grasp.
It’s good to know that God doesn’t simply give us the fruit for a single day. He doesn’t offer a snippet of love for today and leave us loveless tomorrow. Instead He builds love, joy, peace, patience, and the rest into our lives in increasing measure.
Tomorrow we may not feel particularly loving, though God gave us a blessing of love today. Sin may keep us from feeling the gift He placed in our hearts. But God does not reclaim His gifts at the end of the day—when He gives, He gives wholeheartedly.
He is filling us with His Spirit’s fruit, which will last a lifetime. No fruit of His is eaten today and lost tomorrow. Instead, it’s the foundation of a blessing through our whole lives, ready and waiting for all who run to Him!
Lord, I thank You for the gift of Your fruit, which feeds me daily and strengthens me on my caregiving journey. Thank You for the stack of blessings that have become part of my life because I’ve been obeying You.
I have much to write to you, but I do not want to use paper and ink. Instead, I hope to visit you and talk with you face to face, so that our joy may be complete.—2 John 1:12 (NIV)
Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of compassion and the God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our troubles, so that we can comfort those in any trouble with the comfort we ourselves receive from God.—2 Corinthians 1:3–4 (NIV)
The one who gets wisdom loves life; the one who cherishes understanding will soon prosper.—Proverbs 19:8 (NIV)