The Fruit Bowl
- Cathrine Schmelzer
- Jun 27
- 2 min read
“The Holy Spirit provides just the right fruit at just the right moment if you let your life be ruled by Him.”
“But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law.” Galatians 5:22-23
I was recently talking with a close mom friend about how much snacking my kids do, and mostly on junk food. We don’t have the healthiest eating habits at my house, and it seems that all my kids want to eat is sugar and empty calories, nothing nutritional. I don’t mind feeding my kids, obviously, but I want them to be nourished by what they eat.
My friend suggested using a fruit bowl to encourage better eating habits. It’s so simple, but such a big change. Every time your kid comes to you whining about how “starving” they are, send them to the bowl filled with fruit that is way healthier than the junk in your cabinet.
When I read Galatians 5:22-23, I immediately thought of that fruit bowl and how I needed help with nourishing my children. Food isn’t the only thing that nourishes us. The Holy Spirit comes into our lives and nourishes us, keeping our earthly desires from ruling us, and instead giving us healthy “fruits”.
When we’re overwhelmed by life as a mom, the Holy Spirit is there, filling us with joy and peace.
When we’re frustrated because our children just won't listen, and they’re fighting again, the Holy Spirit is there, providing us with patience, kindness, and gentleness.
When we’re just having a hard day, the Holy Spirit is there with love, goodness, faithfulness and self-control.
The Holy Spirit provides just the right fruit at just the right moment if you let your life be ruled by Him. Mom friend, next time you’re “hungry”, don’t go to that snack cabinet full of junk. Go to the fruit bowl also known as the Holy Spirit, and receive nourishment for everything you’re lacking in that moment.
Action Step:
All of us are better at different fruits than others. Which ones are you good at? Which ones do you struggle with? Are you good at being joyful but lack self-control? Do you struggle with gentleness? Get a Post-It and write down one or two that you struggle with. Hang them in a place you’ll see them often so that the name of the fruit you struggle with stays in your mind. Pray about it every time you think about it.
Written by Cathrine, mom of 4, keeper of the snacks