I'm not a very good fruit inspector. If I had a job in produce, my family would probably starve. Going to grocery shop for fruit is something I just struggle to do. I don't know all the little tips and tricks. Sometimes I'm not sure if I'm suppose to thump it, flick it or spin it. Should it make a thud or sound more hollow. Just let me go to the automotive section to see whether or not the oil is on sale.
Nevertheless, I should be concerned and good at inspecting the fruit (spiritual fruit) in my life. Jesus plainly warned that just as a tree is known by its fruit, people are also known by his or her fruit. Furthermore, the nature of a person is revealed by the fruit he or she bears in his or her life. Peaches don't grow on apple trees; watermelons aren't picked from grapevines. Those apart from Jesus Christ, who have not the Spirit of God living and directing his or her life, will not evidence the fruit of the Spirit. On the contrary, however, those who have received Jesus, should unceasingly bear the fruit of the Spirit regardless of circumstances, trials or difficulties.
At various times, I struggle with each particular aspect of the fruit of the Spirit. For you see, it isn't the "fruits of the Spirit." Rather, it is the "fruit of the Spirit." It's a package deal. Each aspect is to be true of a follower of Jesus Christ. Certainly we all struggle with one more so than the other. Yet each and every one--love, kindness, patience, etc.--should flow from our lives. For me, patience is my greatest struggle. To truly be Christlike, I must be patient.
Jesus was patient. He did not die too soon. He waited for the appropriate time. He did not start His earthly ministry when He was 22. He patiently waited until the appropriate time. Patience, a fruit of the Spirit, can be perfectly witnessed in the life of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.
But I am often far less than patient. Oddly, though, the one thing about the character of God I am most grateful for is His patience. God is patient. He is long suffering. He does not act in a knee-jerk fashion. Never does He lose His cool, blowing up and losing His patience. God is always patient. The Scripture teaches that His patience is the reason Jesus Christ has not yet returned. While there may be other reasons as well, the Apostle Peter clearly states that "He is patient, not willing that any should perish but all come to repentance" (2 Peter 3:9). I am so grateful His patience has been directed toward me on numerous occasions. I have often faltered and failed. Each time, my loving and patient Father has dealt with me.
Even now, as I struggle with patience, it is a reminder of the need I have for the Spirit of God to be at work in my life and heart. Micah was scheduled to come home today. Dr. Berman and the transplant team were all in agreement. Sarah had received all the information about medicines, procedural issues, what to look for, etc. Then, Micah awoke this morning with a fever. Fevers cause alarm for Micah's situation. Being on immune suppression medication, the concern is that he will contract some sickness that will severely affect him (much more so than you or me). Furthermore, the fever can indicate infection. Therefore, Micah must be checked to insure there is no infection, especially a liver infection, which could damage his "new" liver (it is funny to call it new when is already has 28 years on it).
I was so looking forward to my family being in the same house again. The excitement of Micah being home and Sarah being able to get rest was mounting. While I completely understand the need to monitor his health and insure that the fever is not a sign of infection, I was disappointed to say the least. It goes to test my patience once again and help grow me in this area where I often don't measure up.
Even though Micah has had a fever today, his eating has tremendously picked up. Yesterday, he ate 30 ounces for the day. Now that's a big jump from the 11 ounces about a week ago which caused concern. He is still active and smiling. We are hoping at this time that he will be able to come home Sunday. Then our new "normal" will kick in to gear.
Flu shots for all of us every year; lots of hand-washing; trying to keep the other boys healthy; exercising caution with who we are in contact with so that we do not carry something into the house and pass to Micah. These are but a few. There are so many things and then there is just the fact that you have to live.
We certainly pray that through this winter season we will have minimal colds and sicknesses in our family. And even if it does hit our family, we definitely pray that the Lord will place a shield about Micah to protect him from the illness. As you pray, you can pray for these items, as well as pray there is no infection and that we will be able to bring Micah home in the Lord's perfect timing.
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