Joy…faithfulness…self-control

But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness,

goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. ~ Galatians 5:22-24

I found these beautiful die-cut photo mats from K&Company over Christmas in my Archiver’s store. They are double-sided, beautiful prints. You have to trim them in the middle to be card sized, but I have been having fun making cards with them the last few days. This is one card I can show you right now, and it showcases the stamp of the month from CHF, Joyful Winter Wishes. Isn’t Kim’s snowman darling?

Last night, I was excited to post this first thing this morning, but I awoke to a ‘bad news’ phone call and cards just weren’t on my mind as I prepared for church. Then at church, we had a time of prayer for a family whose father is being deployed to the Middle East this week. He’ll miss his oldest daughter’s ‘sweet 16’.  Most of you know that my friend and teammate at SCS, Beate sent her husband off this week, as well. My heart breaks when people I care for hurt. I have cried all day long.

As I was thinking about posting the card and ‘joyfulness’, I was reminded of the fruit of the Spirit. Joyfulness is listed right there with patience, faithfulness, self-control. The Holy Spirit meets you whatever your present circumstance, if we just ask.

Come Holy Spirit fill the hearts of your faithful, kindle in us the fire of your love….meet us where we are, with what we need, be it joy, faithfulness or patience as we start a new year.