PEACH COBBLER

"But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience,
kindness..." Galatians 5:22

      There were times when it became very difficult to keep from getting angry at R.J. who had Parkinson's disease.  Sarcastic remarks would flow from his mouth profusely until my patience was exhausted and , first hurt, then anger would rise up in me.  I felt like running away so I would never have to hear his voice again.  Dealing with this situation day in and day out was very frustrating, and when all my coping skills seemed to fail I would run to my room and cry out to Jesus for help.

      On a particular Saturday morning, R.J.'s remarks were getting to me, and in utter frustration, I said loudly, "I feel like taking the skill saw and sawing this house in half.  Then, maybe I can live at peace in my half, never to lay eyes on him again."

      The next morning, when I was spending time pouring out my plight to the Lord, He spoke to me, saying, "I want you to show mercy to your husband.  Bake him a peach cobbler today."

      I fully intended to obey the Lord, but after church R.J. began ridiculing me.  Instead of ignoring his sarcasm, I angrily told him not to talk to me.  Gathering up the Sunday paper, I retreated to the front porch, vowing I certainly would not bake a peach cobbler.

      The next day, as I was praying for deliverance from this untenable situation. the Lord spoke, saying, "Make that cobbler and see his countenance change...his mind no longer functions correctly, that is why you must show him mercy."

      Reluctantly I dressed and headed for the kitchen, stating, "I will obey, Lord, but not with joy."  Stomping around the kitchen gathering the ingredients for this cobbler, I was thinking, what is the use, I am weary from trying to be kind only to be put down again and again.  I prayed, "Jesus, I give this burden to You.  Help me show mercy.  Help me see R.J. through Your eyes, Lord."

      After I took the cobbler out of the oven and retreated to my room I prayed again for the Lord to help me through these difficult days which seemed to loom before me endlessly.  As I lay on my bed crying, wallowing in self-pity, and filled with shame for the harsh way I had spoken the day before, I heard R.J. open the front door.

      "Something sure smells good!  Did you bake a peach cobbler for me?  I think I'll go down to the dairy and get some ice cream to go with that cobbler."

      I must say, my act of obedience, which is really 'love in action', brought about an unexpected change.  Many days went by without R.J. speaking one unkind word to me.  We are called to live at peace, one with another.  How is it possible to develop good relationships with others when I could not even live at peace with my husband?  It is very easy to say I am willing to endure whatever trial comes along when things are going smoothly, but it is a whole other story when you are in the middle of the storm swirling around you.

      Galatians 5:22 sums up a very real need in my daily walk:  "But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control."

      Evidently I have a long way to go before I can claim to have achieved any great measure of the above virtues.  But I am not discouraged because I know Jesus is always with me, guiding me, just as He has promised in His word.