Fruit of the Spirit: Patience & Kindness

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

Patience
Patience is the ability to endure hardship without frustration or anger. Its more than waiting and requires self- restraint and God’s grace when facing delay, difficulty or provocation. Peace isn’t passive. It is an active choice to remain calm and steady when life tests us. Peace helps us persevere through challenges and allows us to give up control and embrace God’s plan.

How can we demonstrate patience? Choose to remain calm. Try to pause and pray before reacting, especially if things aren’t going your way. And try to remember that there might be a purpose for your waiting. Try to be patient with people, even when you are frustrated. Show grace and understanding, remembering that everyone makes mistakes. Patience in our relationships strengthens bonds and helps create a loving atmosphere.

Kindness
Kindness is the quality of being friendly, generous and considerate towards others, putting their needs before our own even when it is inconvenient. This fruit of the Spirit reflects God’s kindness to us, which is both unearned and constant, and encourages us to treat others with the same grace.

How can we show kindness in our everyday lives? We can keep our eyes open and try to be attentive to other’s needs, offer some encouragement to someone who’s having a tough time, help out someone without expecting recognition (or anonymously, how cool would that be?). Kindness is a choice which, when practiced, builds stronger, more compassionate relationships.

The kindness of our congregation is demonstrated through much of the mission work we do at St. Andrew. The snack closet at Blackwell Elementary is a great example. If students are unable to bring a snack from home, they are able to go to the office each morning and choose from an assortment of snacks we have donated. If these snacks weren’t available, the teachers would buy snacks with their own money so their students didn’t have to go without, so they appreciate our kindness. The best part is that the students are able to choose a snack that’s just like one the other kids brought from home and no one has to know that theirs came from the basket in the office. Preserving their dignity is the epitome of kindness!

Sue Wallace