My Grandmother’s Orchard

My grandmother had one of the largest orchards I’ve ever seen. You could just stand and inspect at all the different fruits for hours.

I know some of my family reading this are probably thinking I’m crazy, because my grandmother didn’t have a literal orchard.

The kind of orchard I’m talking about is one full of the fruit of the Spirit.

^{Galatians 5:22} But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith,

^{Galatians 5:23} Meekness, temperance: against such there is no law.

Today would have been her 88th birthday. I have so many fond memories of her, but the most important ones I have are the ones concerning her faith.

Her life exhibited every one of these fruits of the Spirit. Her impact on those around her was great. Her faith spoke volumes.

Through her life she didn’t have money. She depended on God for everything she had. I remember her telling me more than once, “Nothing I have is mine, God has only allowed me to have it while I’m here. You, my kids, even my washer and dryer.”

That’s the kind of woman she was. She always had a prayer in her heart and you could often hear her saying “Thank you Jesus.” Her love for the Father was something to witness.

Now, all of her children and grandchildren have the ability to walk through her orchard and see the fruits she left as an example to us. Whether we have or haven’t given our lives to God, none of us can deny what her life showed us.

I pray that one day I can have the same testimony. I want others to say I had a huge orchard. I don’t care if I’m remembered for anything else in this world, as long as people can can say, “He loved God and it was evident in his life.”

Thank you Grandma for leaving us all the best gift anyone could leave their family, a life that honored God. Happy Birthday in Heaven!