Gleaning the Fruit of the Spirit

Six years ago, I took part in the grape harvest in Palestine. I met with the other laborers in the pre-dawn darkness in a large tent set up beside the vineyard. Seated on folding chairs, we gathered at long dining tables in the tent and shared a hearty breakfast of granola, bread, fruit and cucumbers, yogurt and cheese. Then we gathered at the edge of the dusky fields and prayed for the fruit of the harvest and the safety of the workers. As dawn broke, musicians began to play, and we took up our positions on the hillside among the rows of heavily-laden vines and began the cutting process. The clusters of grapes were so large, they dwarfed my hand as I cupped them before severing the stems. I remember three things about the harvest: the joy of the harvesters at the abundance of fruit; the companionship as we chatted, laughed, and worked our way down the rows; and how quickly the time passed as we all worked together through the heat of the day. We had a sense of purpose. We were careful to leave clusters of grapes on the vine for the gleaners — those in the community who had fallen on hard times. 

At this moment in our world, we have fallen on hard times. People are fearful and anxious and isolated. Joy seems to be in short supply.
Perhaps now is our time for gleaning. The Fruit of the Spirit is still available to us, though we may have to search a bit harder to find it. We can practice patience, kindness, and goodness toward others. We can be faithful in our daily devotions. We can let love for our neighbors make us unselfish in the grocery store. There are a myriad ways and places to seek and practice the Fruit of the Holy Spirit. Peace is scarce in the world right now, but we can take joy in a night of rest, in a simple meal, in the sunrise and sunset, in the song of birds. We can appreciate those who work to keep us safe. We can rejoice when we have opportunities to connect via social media platforms. And we can still pray and thereby have an audience with the Lord Almighty, sharing with God all that concerns or frustrates us during this time. Where are you gleaning your fruits of the Spirit today? Love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, and faithfulness, are ours to be harvested. 

Prayer: Dear Lord, we need you — today and every day. When we are afraid or anxious, may we find comfort in your word. Help us to actively seek your fruit in our daily lives. And lead us to community so that we can be reminded that we are not alone. Amen.

DeVonna R. Allison (Florida, USA)