Strawberry Peaceberry ;0)
James 3:18 And a harvest of righteousness is sown in peace by those who make peace.
For the Fourth of July holiday, I traveled with my children to my hometown. Prior to leaving my home, I prepared a number of snacks that included strawberries. I don’t quite remember one of the strawberries falling in the sink as I washed them, but after returning home, I learned that that was the case. The strawberry looked nothing like the beautiful ones we indulged in on our two hour ride home. It was gray, with white seeds – gone bad. I immediately pushed it into the garbage disposal, understanding that it no longer had a purpose. It was certainly in no shape to tickle my taste buds.
Did you know that peace is a fruit of the spirit? (See Galatians 5:22-23) Did you know that peace is represented by strawberries?
I did a little bit of reading to find out about the life cycle of strawberries in hopes that it would shed some more light on why I couldn’t get the bad strawberry observation out of my head. I found out a couple of interesting things about strawberries. When the plant grows and touches the ground, it starts the growing process of new strawberry plants and the seeds are on the outside of the plants. Before you know it, strawberries are all over the place. You may say, I already knew that, well I did too, but I hope to go somewhere with this, so bare with me. So, you remember, I said the strawberry is the symbol for peace which is a fruit of the spirit? Ok. Now, let’s look at peace. Peace has many definitions but for this writing, I feel compelled to use – inner contentment.
Eating a strawberry is a delightful experience, especially when the strawberry is sweet, it makes you want more and more, and the fact that the seeds are on the outside, doesn’t interfere with our enjoyment of them at all. Enjoying strawberries with others is sweet too! The color is pleasing to the eye.
There is something about peace that is delightful, when there is peace, others want to partake of it, and it’s so soothing. The seed of peace can very easily start its roots in a mind that has been ridden of obstacles to peace, one that has and is being purified, one that’s in a continuous state of renewal, one that has recognized its ability to be free in Jesus and is constantly seeking after Jesus for that peace.
Once we obtain peace, I believe that it is up to us to make the greatest use of that peace. Our achievement of peace is not just for us, but for others as well. Peace has a purpose and I believe that it is very powerful. Peace is the very thing that is needed in the midst of storms called chaos, frustration, worry, stress, hurt and pain, rejection, fear, indecision, etc,.
The power of peace is magnified in the life of one who is face to face with a giant that stands taller and looks stronger than them. When the peaceful one takes a stand, touches the ground and spread its seeds, the very territory the opposition stands on and the opposition will be consumed by your ability to produce more and more peace. When we consume opposition with peace, we get peace or (another definition of peace) – free from disturbance.
Build a strawberry patch in and around your life. Others will desire this fruit.
Reproduce the peace in your life by touching all that is around you with peace. Don’t go bad by sitting in one place too long, but understand why you are where you are and make it work to your advantage. Don’t give up or give out, because there are others who depend on your strength and ability to keep the peace to make it in this life – don’t go bad like the strawberry in my sink. Like the batch of strawberries that made it on our car trip – you have places to go, people to see and peace to make.
Believe, Love, Obey God
~Tanika
For the Fourth of July holiday, I traveled with my children to my hometown. Prior to leaving my home, I prepared a number of snacks that included strawberries. I don’t quite remember one of the strawberries falling in the sink as I washed them, but after returning home, I learned that that was the case. The strawberry looked nothing like the beautiful ones we indulged in on our two hour ride home. It was gray, with white seeds – gone bad. I immediately pushed it into the garbage disposal, understanding that it no longer had a purpose. It was certainly in no shape to tickle my taste buds.
Did you know that peace is a fruit of the spirit? (See Galatians 5:22-23) Did you know that peace is represented by strawberries?
I did a little bit of reading to find out about the life cycle of strawberries in hopes that it would shed some more light on why I couldn’t get the bad strawberry observation out of my head. I found out a couple of interesting things about strawberries. When the plant grows and touches the ground, it starts the growing process of new strawberry plants and the seeds are on the outside of the plants. Before you know it, strawberries are all over the place. You may say, I already knew that, well I did too, but I hope to go somewhere with this, so bare with me. So, you remember, I said the strawberry is the symbol for peace which is a fruit of the spirit? Ok. Now, let’s look at peace. Peace has many definitions but for this writing, I feel compelled to use – inner contentment.
Eating a strawberry is a delightful experience, especially when the strawberry is sweet, it makes you want more and more, and the fact that the seeds are on the outside, doesn’t interfere with our enjoyment of them at all. Enjoying strawberries with others is sweet too! The color is pleasing to the eye.
There is something about peace that is delightful, when there is peace, others want to partake of it, and it’s so soothing. The seed of peace can very easily start its roots in a mind that has been ridden of obstacles to peace, one that has and is being purified, one that’s in a continuous state of renewal, one that has recognized its ability to be free in Jesus and is constantly seeking after Jesus for that peace.
Once we obtain peace, I believe that it is up to us to make the greatest use of that peace. Our achievement of peace is not just for us, but for others as well. Peace has a purpose and I believe that it is very powerful. Peace is the very thing that is needed in the midst of storms called chaos, frustration, worry, stress, hurt and pain, rejection, fear, indecision, etc,.
The power of peace is magnified in the life of one who is face to face with a giant that stands taller and looks stronger than them. When the peaceful one takes a stand, touches the ground and spread its seeds, the very territory the opposition stands on and the opposition will be consumed by your ability to produce more and more peace. When we consume opposition with peace, we get peace or (another definition of peace) – free from disturbance.
Build a strawberry patch in and around your life. Others will desire this fruit.
Reproduce the peace in your life by touching all that is around you with peace. Don’t go bad by sitting in one place too long, but understand why you are where you are and make it work to your advantage. Don’t give up or give out, because there are others who depend on your strength and ability to keep the peace to make it in this life – don’t go bad like the strawberry in my sink. Like the batch of strawberries that made it on our car trip – you have places to go, people to see and peace to make.
Believe, Love, Obey God
~Tanika
I definitely need the peace in my life to multiply like strawberries! Thanks for the visual!
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