The Fruits I am Learning

As a nanny, I am learning anew the Fruits of the Spirit, and learning to experience them in a different way than perhaps I have in the past.

LOVE:

The overwhelming and powerful love you feel for the child in your care. The sacrifices that you make for her.

JOY:

The bubbling, never-ending emotion that wells up inside you when you see the little one that you love. An emotion that transcends all the crying fits and dirty diapers.

PEACE:

Complete and perfect peace that envelopes you as you realize God is watching over your little one.

PATIENCE:

Patience to endure the seemingly never-ending cries, the stubborn refusals to take naps, and waiting for her to just roll over already (you're so close! You can do it!)

KINDNESS:

Watching out for her, any chance you can find to bless her sweet life (in however small a way).

GOODNESS:

Striving to be the best example you can be, pursuing the Lord all the more, even though she's yet to young to understand. 

GENTLENESS:

Learning to quiet your voice, and slow your movements so you don't scare her; rocking her to sleep, making her laugh, holding her close.

SELF-CONTROL:

Those moments when she's been crying for an hour and it takes everything inside you to just continue to comfort her and not curl up into a ball with your hands over your ears and have a good cry yourself.