Access to the Fruit

Has it every occurred to you that we (as believers in the Lord Jesus Christ) have access to the Fruits of the Spirits? All of them? All the time?

This has become strangely obvious to me in the last day or two.

I've been reading a great book (Feminine Appeal by Carolyn Mahaney) that has enlightened me in my marriage and my motherhood, and pushed me to model my own life after the wife and mother described Titus 2.

Diving into this book has also compelled me to dive into praying for my marriage. I can honestly say that I've not really prayed for my marriage in a while. So as I've been praying more about being a wife, I've therefore been reflecting a lot on me in my marriage.

And unfortunately, I've noticed some behaviors that do not bring glory to the Father, nor my husband. This sort of self reflection has made me aware of my "contrary spirit" that I sometimes have towards my husband. Sometimes I disagree, just to disagree. Or I'm difficult - not because I'm right, not because he's right, but because my sinful nature just wants to be contrary.

So in realizing this, (which was revolutionary in and of itself) that at times, when my husband comes home from a long day at work, I have such a contrary spirit. I, too, became fully aware that I can pray about that!

And even better, what if I prayed for a spirit of gentleness?
Before he came home from work?
Or what if I prayed for a spirit of
Joy?
patience?
kindness?
What might our dinner look like if I'm covered in goodness?

Oh, how inspired I am (once again by that comforting Word) at the thought of me choosing kindness over a contrary heart?

"Now the fruits of the Spirit are love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self control. Against these there is no law." - Galatians 5:22-23