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A COMEBACK
But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control.
Galatians 5:22-23
The 'good old days' has been running through my mind recently, and one of my favorite shows, CBS Sunday Morning, brought them to the forefront with a report on the comeback of Drive-In Movie Theaters due to the corona virus pandemic. They are becoming popular because it is easy to practice social distancing, there are often discounts for children and seniors, and there may be a flat price per car. One major difference today is that carhops used to serve trays of food and drinks to guests in their cars in the 1940's and 50's, but they are now handing out masks. Concessions can still be purchased at a stand, but only at a safe distance. How things have changed since the pandemic arrived!
What really caught my eye were the movies that are being shown, one of which was and still is an all-time favorite......The Wizard of Oz. It is amazing to me that an 81 year old film of a young heroine who was unable to reach her storm cellar in the midst of a cyclone and finds herself transported to a beautiful land that is inhabited by a unique group of people, is still loved by many young and old. Her adventures are too numerous to mention, but the people she meets on the way that mean so much to her are not. On her journey to the Emerald City she is joined by Scarecrow, who wishes he has brains, the Tin Woodman, who longs for a heart, and the Cowardly Lion, who seeks courage. They face many trials along their route, but overcome them all because of the Scarecrow's good sense, the Tin Woodman's kindness, and the bravery of the Cowardly Lion. The story shows that each of the characters already possessed what they thought they lacked.
We often find ourselves faced with situations that we feel we are not equipped to handle. But if we strive to live by the Fruit of the Spirit, practicing the upward qualities (love, joy, peace), the outward qualities (patience, kindness, goodness), and the inward qualities (faithfulness, gentleness ,self-control), we too may find we already possess some of these Gifts and Fruit of the Spirit.
Remembering that God does not always choose the equipped, but rather equips the chosen, whose Scarecrow, Tin Woodman or Cowardly Lion can you be today?
Heavenly Father, help us to bear and share other's burdens and to be generous and do good. In Your precious name we pray. Amen.
Barbara Schneider
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