Welcome to Cozy Poetry Corner by Debra A Winter (Richter)

“Tuned to the Fruits of the Spirit”

How do you live your life? Is it with a drum and fife?

Or is it by Faith of God, who doesn’t spare the rod?

I’ll tell you what I live by.

It’s God’s word; He’s a very wise God.

Did you know He has his own TV guide?

Many take it and read it in stride.

It’s famous in the Christian community;

It brings all people together in unity.

I have a favorite part in that book.

Let me give you a good look.

It’s called Galatians, chapter five, twenty-two.

It’s an old chapter, yet for many it may be too new.

It contains the many things I love, in the” fruits of the spirit.” 

Many struggle to live these fruits.

I try to do my best to live them as they are meant.

These are special fruits in God’s TV Guide—The Bible.

Here is what it means to me, as I have faith within each fruit:

Love: Being a witness to people’s emotions with tenderness and care.

Joy: bringing laughter and humor into their playless, smileless world.

Peace: living in peace and harmony with acceptance and grace of one another.

Patience: a willingness to learn, grow and help others do the same, with understanding.

Kindness: paying attention to others, showing they are worth the time and effort of just being.

Goodness: showing the world that no matter how bad things are, there is still goodness in people when you need them, whether a shoulder to cry or a friend.

Faithfulness: being true to yourself and to others in honor and respect.

Gentleness: showing empathy for the aging, sick, the homeless, the grieving, and the loving.

And finally…

Self-Control: controlling my emotions, letting all the other fruits shine not in haste.

So this is my faith—the way I stumble, rise, and try again, guided by God’s TV Guide.

The only book– the Bible–flipping me to find the right channel three hundred sixty-five days a year.

And through it all, I’m thankful for the God, who turns each page with me, offering promise and grace.