Daily devotion – Learning our daily lessons
Fruit for the Young and the Old
As grandparents, Helen and I have the blessed opportunity from time to time to be with little ones once again. Each visit is a joy—and each time, God speaks to my heart about the journey of growing older and the temptations that come with it.
Little ones require more patience. They are tenderhearted—so easy to bruise if we are not gentle. And in those moments, I often find my flesh resisting. It wants to be tougher, less patient. But the Holy Spirit reminds me to be kind and gentle, not harsh or short.
We all need the fruit of the Spirit—daily.
“But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control.”
— Galatians 5:22–23
Our grandchildren—and children everywhere—have a beautiful hunger for God. They ask with such innocence, “Can you tell us a Bible story?” They want to know what God is like. What a privilege to be asked! But to share God’s Word rightly, we need the Spirit’s fruit—not just to give, but also to have.
I want to be filled with His love. I seek His joy in my life. I thank God for the peace He gives now that I know Jesus as my Lord and Saviour. I long to be patient with others, because I know how ugly impatience can be. And every time God gives me the chance to show kindness, I realise afresh how incredibly kind He is to me—always.
He is faithful to me. He is gentle when I stumble. He comforts me when I fall. And so I pray: “Lord, help me not lose control of my emotions. Let me be the calm in the storm. Let Your Spirit be seen in me.”
Yes, the fruit of the Spirit works both ways—in us and through us. He forms our hearts and fills our hands.
“Therefore whoever humbles himself as this little child is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven. Whoever receives one little child like this in My name receives Me.”
— Matthew 18:4–5
May we grow old in grace—not hard—but tender like Jesus. And may the little ones in our lives see not just our age, but His Spirit alive in us.
Amen.