“But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law. And those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires.” Galatians 5:22-24
“Smells like peace!” Our oldest daughter blurted this out at seven years old as she walked into the house after a busy day. The moment she stepped through the door, she noticed that familiar scent—Mom had spent some uninterrupted time tidying up the chaos of a home filled with four energetic daughters and a full ministry life. And, if you’ve ever used Fabuloso, you know that fragrance of a freshly cleaned house. It wasn’t just the clean air that hit us—it was the peace that filled the space.
It made me pause and think: How is the Spirit of God working in our lives to shape the atmosphere of our home? It’s a challenging thought. Imagine if the presence of Christ in us could be described through the nine fruits of the Spirit. Is love the most noticeable quality in our words and actions? Does peace reign in our home, like that unmistakable aroma after a good clean-up? Are we able to embrace the joy and peace that God offers, even in the middle of chaos?
We can all relate. Some days are just busy—whether you’re running around in the home or out of it. Sometimes both husband and wife are looking to the other for a little reprieve, hoping for rescue from the day’s demands. But what happens when those expectations go unmet? Without the Spirit’s work in our hearts, it’s easy for the atmosphere in our homes to go from hopeful to tense, from peaceful to unpleasant—and sometimes unbearable.
The truth is, only through the Spirit’s power can we consistently create an environment of love, peace, and joy. Let’s commit to allowing God’s Spirit to work through us, to fill our homes with His presence and the fruit He produces.
