Goodness Multiplied

 Years ago when I lived in Canada 

and worked with Para- Med Health Services,

I had a dear client from the Ukraine,

and this dear women showed me through daffodils

 the gift of giving and multiplying through God's goodness.

~

In her good sized yard she grew daffodils

all around the perimeter

that were amazingly thick and lush.

They were absolutely beautiful!

~

One day after my visit with her," she asked if she could walk me to my car?"

She was rather frail and weak,  living in God's grace on hospice,

but was insistent to go out with me on this particular day.

With scissors and a mason jar in hand,

we headed to her garden where she snipped

a huge bouquet, just for me.

"These are for your enjoyment" 

she said with the sweetest smile on her face.

"Oh no, I replied! I could never take from your

beautiful garden. Why, it must have taken you

years to grow these daffodils?"

~

"God has multiplied the goodness of this garden" she replied.

"When we give and share God's goodness with others,

He blesses us in greater abundance."

"This garden belongs to God,

His desire is for me to share it with others."

And that she did!
It was the most beautiful daffodil

patch I have ever seen in a private yard.

~

I have never forgotten the lesson God had for me

over 20 years ago through this precious women's 

walk with the Lord, and her garden that belonged to her God.
She was gracious in her giving.
She was willing to share with others what God had blessed her with,
rather than selfishly keep for herself.
And in doing so, God multiplied her garden of daffodils to overflowing.

We have an area near our home that reminds me of that very garden,

only in a smaller version.

As I drove by this garden the other day, I couldn't help but 

reminisce back to the delightful times

 with this precious women of God.

~

Memories... Beautiful memories...
As I was driving home, I began to thank the Lord,

for all the lessons I have learned over the years

through other ladies whom He has used in my life.

Ladies, who represented their Savior.
Ladies who loved their Lord, and were willing to share His goodness with me.

 I too, am blessed and privileged to represent

my Savior, the Lord of my life,

through the goodness of giving and sharing with others.

~

"But the fruit of the Spirit is

love, joy, peace, longsuffering,

gentleness, goodness, faith."

(Galatians 5:22)

 ~

Goodness,  is one of the "fruits of the Spirit". 

It is an outward quality that the Holy Spirit

produces in the believers life.

Our fruit is God's. It is produced by His grace

and it glorifies Him.

So as we draw near to God,

His Spirit can bear the fruit of goodness in us for all to enjoy.

~

"As we have therefore opportunity,

let us do good unto all men, 

especially unto them who are of the household of faith."

(Galatians 6:10)

~

Goodness in character naturally leads to goodness in deeds.

Goodness is a readiness to do good unto all men.

Goodness puts love into action.

~

Jesus modeled love in action,

and we are to be like Him.

We are to live our lives modeled after Christ Jesus,

through His Word and by the power of His Spirit,

that dwells within us.

~

"What? Know ye not that your body

is the temple of the Holy Spirit

which is in you, which ye have of God,

and ye are not your own?"

(1Corinthians 6:19)

~

There should never be a person whom we refuse to love.

In any and every case, we are to love friend and enemy

alike by our acts of goodness.

Praise God, that He can help us fulfill this assignment

by filling us with His goodness,

so that we have HIS goodness to give to others!

~

Our precious Heavenly Father.

Thank you for Your Word that teaches us

how to be more like You.

Help us I pray to show forth Your love

to others, through the goodness You have bestowed 

upon us so graciously. 

May we never refuse to love and to do good

unto ALL men.

Amen.

~Be Lovely~

Debbie