Fruits of the Spirit: Love

Fruits of the Spirit — a Dock Line poetry series reflecting on Galatians 5:22–23. Part 1 of 9.

In this series, each poem listens for how love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control show up in ordinary life—with the Lord interrupting hurry, worry, and noise to speak a quieter word.

I was busy creating false scenarios in my mind

When my Father showed up

And he asked if we could talk

He sat down beside me

My mind was able to come to a halt

He said, “love is found in how you spend your time”

I didn’t know if I liked where this was going

Because I don’t always spend my time wisely

And maybe, now, my Father thinks I don’t love wisely either

But He said, “my time and attention are towards you, at all times

You can trust my love for you

I will never waver in my affection for you”

Knowing I can’t return that same devotion

Knowing that my human heart can never fully love like Jesus did

I tell Him, “I will place my scraps of love in your hand

And you will make them beautiful

Your love envelopes where I fall short

Now I can’t see where my love ends

And yours begins

Explore the series: Love · Joy · Peace · Patience · Kindness · Goodness · Faithfulness · Gentleness · Self-Control

“But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control…” — Galatians 5:22–23