Fruit Loops - Part 5 - Patience

"But the Holy Spirit produces this kind of fruit in our lives: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. There is no law against these things!"
Galatians 5:22-23 NLT


The first words that broke the silence of slumber at our house, this morning was, "I don't hear the sump pump running." Robin had cause for concern. During a hard rain and, especially, a hard rain coupled with a large snow-melt, if the sump pump in the corner of our basement stops working, our basement can quickly become a murky swimming pool.

I bolted down the stairs, still groggy from the 7 hour drive home from a weekend conference on the east coast. Sure enough, the massive amount of water that was coursing through our drains had overloaded our pump.

I quickly got dressed, jumped into the van and went to our local home improvement store to buy a new pump. On arriving home I found Robin and our two oldest boys bailing water into buckets, coolers and anything else that they could find that would hold water. Despite their efforts, water was coming in through the base of the walls - claiming the carpeting in 2 of the boy's rooms.

I was rushing to assemble the new pump into our drain system while, in shear frustration, Robin kept me informed of the increasing water damage.

Needless to say we were not being as patient with each other as we could have been. Robin would say, "It's (the water) heading for Alex's room!" Or, something similar to that effect. To which I would repeatedly and sharply answer, "We're all working as fast as we can!"

We share in our conferences that patience is developed through enduring trials and tests. A flooding basement would certainly be considered a trial; however, I don't know that Robin and I scored very well in our mastery of it.

"Be completely humble and gentle; be patient, bearing with one another in love."
Eph 4:2 NIV

We also share that we never fully arrive at mastering how we think, speak and act toward our spouse and that it is an ongoing and intentional process.

Yeah, well, Robin and I need to get back to work on our basement - and on our patience...


For Marriages,

Dave & Robin

Fruit Loops - Part 4 - "Peace"

"But the Holy Spirit produces this kind of fruit in our lives: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control.

There is no law against these things!"
Galatians 5:22-23 NLT

This morning, I walked from our bedroom to our dining room to find Robin intently focused on her morning devotions. I waited until she looked up, her eyes catching mine and then proceeded to express my affection for her through our intimate "Good Morning" filled with kisses.

In several instances during this passed week, Robin has expressed her happiness to me and, I, to her. God has blessed us with a great marriage; however, it wasn't always so.

I used to be the king of selfishness and Robin had a temper. Add to the mix, my own temper and the combination quickly became deadly. My selfish actions would provoke her and she would, instinctively, lash out. To which I would react with more selfishness.

Peace, to us, was often little more than a form of dé·tente. Relaxing in our strained relationship, each of us trying hard to not upset or provoke the other.

True peace was something that we both longed for but had never achieved, until we unconditionally surrendered to Christ and, subsequently, to his Holy Spirit.

The gift of the Holy Spirit and the practice of the same has produced the fruit of the Holy Spirit in our lives and in our marriage. There is a calmness and a serenity in each other's company that was lacking for so many years before.

Robin experienced the presence and power of the Holy Spirit years ago, before I did and a change began to take place in our marriage. Later, when I received the empowerment of the Holy Spirit, our marriage dynamic radically improved even more.

"But the Counselor, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, will teach you all things and will remind you of everything I have said to you. Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you.

I do not give to you as the world gives.

Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid."
John 14:26-27 NIV

Imagine that. We can live at perfect peace in our marriages - taught by the Holy Spirit as we submit ourselves to the Lordship of Christ. It is a gift from our Lord that is cultivated in marriage by two individuals living a Spirit-formed, Spirit-led and covenant life.

Do we cultivate the fruit of peace in our own life? Do we allow the Holy Spirit to change us - sanding down our rough edges and flaws and growing us into instruments of his peace?

Do you have peace in your marriage? If not, ask God to change you and then allow him to do it. The change he works in your life will effect your spouse as well while you focus on the Lord.


"You will keep in perfect peace
all who trust in you,
all whose thoughts are fixed on you!"
Isa 26:3 NLT

Be a Peace-Liver and a Peace-Giver!

Peace-Out!


For Marriages,

Dave & Robin