What We Grow: A Collection of Stories on the Fruit of the Spirit

A Collection of Stories on the Fruit of the Spirit

Written & Illustrated by Samantha Kate Cornwell

Table of Contents Dedication 5 From the Author

7

Goodness 9 Self-Control & Patience

23

Kindness 33 Faithfulness 43 Gentleness 49 Joy & Peace

59

Love 69 Acknowledgements 83

4

Dedication For my Caleb, who is all of these things and more.

5

“No good tree bears bad fruit, nor again does a bad tree bear good fruit; for each tree is known by its own fruit. Figs are not gathered from thorns, nor are grapes picked from a bramble bush. The good person out of the good treasure of the heart produces good, and the evil person out of evil treasure produces evil; for it is out of the abundance of the heart that the mouth speaks.�

Luke 6:43-45

6

From the Author If you gave the average person three different kinds of leaves, and asked them what kind of tree they came from, chances are, they’d have no idea. Maybe they’d be able to pick out the maple from the bunch, but I doubt you’d have much luck with them differentiating a poplar leaf from a birch. But if you gave someone, three different fruits, and asked them what kind of tree they came from, I’m sure they’d find the challenge a bit easier. An apple comes from an apple tree, a lemon from a lemon tree– thousands of trees bearing their fruits season after season. If someone pointed to a tree growing bananas and tried to convince you that it was an orange tree, you’d look at them like they were crazy. At least I would. And yet, many people do this in their spiritual lives.

The Bible says in Matthew 7:16 that, “By (a person’s) fruit, you will know them,” whether the fruit is good or bad. But what is our fruit? We don’t sprout flowers, we don’t photosynthesize. Rather, we grow character. For born-again Christians, God says exactly what fruit He expects of us. “The fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, self-control, faithfulness, and gentleness.” These are the characteristics that should be seen in the everyday lives of believers. As we live each day, we are to make decisions to put Jesus Christ first in everything we do. But this isn’t always glamorous. Sometimes, it’s as simple as doing the dishes without complaining, waking up a bit earlier to spend time with the Lord, or faithfully serving at your church in a ministry that doesn’t get much attention. It’s less about the actions themselves, but the spirit of worship behind them.

This book explores the simple ways in which the fruit of the spirit can be seen in the lives of Christians. Each story features new characters, all at different stages of their lives and walks with the Lord. As you read these stories, I invite you to look at your own life, and ask God to show you what kind of fruit is evident in your life. Are you a tree that bears good fruit? ­‑Samantha K. Cornwell

7

As it is written: “None is righteous, no, not one; no one understands; no one seeks for God. All have turned aside; together they have become worthless; no one does good, not even one.�

Romans 3:10-12

8

Goodness

9

sas ien i p , m Que res que e que para si? dre les a ma hab me

?

You do n’t run my life!!!

Shut the @#$%# up, Mama!

UGHHH......

!?

10

que %# !? # $ tes @# s i j di me

LE*

UMB

*GR

LE*

MB *GRU

*GR

UMB

LE*

*GRUMBLE

*

WOAH, WOAH, WOAH. MY BAD.

BUMP! HUH?

THE HELL DO YOU WANT? YOU CAN’T WATCH WHERE YOU’RE GOING?!?

11

UMMM, LAST I CHECKED, WE WERE

HELLO, THE NAME

STATIONARY, SO

IS NATE. PLEASURE

THE COLLISION’S

TO MEET YOU.

PROBABLY ON YOU.

AND I’M ELTON AND DON’T WANT ANY TROUBLE. BUT

AND I’D

THIS GUY? NATE’S FAR

WIN, CUZ

MORE LIKELY TO FIGHT

I’M NIMBLE!

SOMEBODY THAN ME.

AGILE!

HI GUYS!!!!

ESTOS MUCHACHOS

!

HO O

OH!

OOO

SON IDIOTAS...

NO, SHE JUST

WAIT! WHERE ARE

RAN INTO US

YOU GOING?

QUITE LITERALLY.

DID YOU BRING A VISITOR!!

12

OH! SORRY. I GOT

HEY!

TOO EAGER. MY BAD!

AND I KNOW YOU

IT’S JUST THAT…. I

MIGHT THINK IT’S

DON’T BELIEVE THERE

WEIRD FOR ME TO

ARE ANY ACCIDENTS

ASK, BUT EVEN

IN THE WORLD.

THOUGH YOU CLEARLY DIDN’T PLAN ON COMING TO YOUTH GROUP TONIGHT...

WOULD YOU WANT TO COME INSIDE? IT’S JUST THAT, YOU COULD’VE BUMPED INTO

DON’T YOU

ANYONE, BUT YOU

THINK GOD

BUMPED INTO US!

ORDERED YOUR STEPS TO END UP HERE!

BUT MY GIRL, JULES DOES HAVE A POINT! YOU MIGHT NOT ARE YOU HIGH?

THINK SO, BUT GOD HAS A PLAN FOR YOUR LIFE, AND SOMEHOW YOU ENDED UP HERE. OUR YOUTH GROUP MEETS EVERY FRIDAY NIGHT TO JUST HANG OUT AND THEN THE YOUTH PASTOR DOES A SHORT TEACHING.

N’T I CA OSH,

THE! BREA

Y G OH M

HAH! I DON’T THINK JULIA EVEN KNOWS WHAT WEED SMELLS LIKE. OR LOOKS LIKE.

13

BE HONEST. DO YOU HAVE ANYTHING BETTER TO DO TONIGHT?

HMMMM…. WELL… BEATS GOING BACK HOME.

THE NAME IS DANIELA, BY THE WAY.

THIS IS OUR YOUTH PASTOR, PASTOR KRAIG. PASTOR KRAIG, THIS IS DANIELA!

HI THERE. IT’S GOOD TO HAVE YA!

ALL RIGHT, EVERYONE! LET’S CLEAR THE CHAIRS AND START THE GAMES!!

14

C’MON DANIELA!

15

ALL RIGHT, EVERYBODY! GRAB A CHAIR AND MAKE A CIRCLE IN THE MIDDLE OF THE ROOM!

SO. YOU GLAD YOU CAME, DANIELA?

SURPRISINGLY, YES.

HERE! YOU CAN

Y’ALL ARE CRAZY,

SIT NEXT TO US!

BUT I ACTUALLY HAD A LOT OF FUN.

ALL RIGHT. SO, TONIGHT, WE’RE GONNA TALK ABOUT GOODNESS. NOW TELL ME

16

WHO IN HERE THINKS THEY ARE A GOOD PERSON?

DANIELA, RIGHT? YOU THERE!

UM, YEAH.

UM…. I DON’T KNOW… I JUST... I’M NOT AS BAD WHY DO YOU THINK YOU’RE A GOOD PERSON?

AS I COULD BE, AND I TRY TO DO THE RIGHT THING, SO I THINK IF YOU AT LEAST PUT EFFORT IN, THEN THAT’S PRETTY GOOD, RIGHT?

BECAUSE, I KNOW I’M ALL RIGHT… I HEAR YA.

A SINNER. THE BIBLE

JULIA, WHY DIDN’T YOU SAY

SAYS THERE’S NO ONE

YOU WERE A GOOD PERSON?

WHO DOES GOOD ON

YOU BRING UP A GOOD

THEIR OWN. ANYTHING

POINT, JULIA. YOU’RE

THAT’S GOOD ABOUT ME

RIGHT. ANYTHING

IS BECAUSE OF JESUS.

THAT’S GOOD ABOUT OUR CHARACTER AS CHRISTIANS IS BECAUSE OF THE SACRIFICE JESUS MADE ON THE CROSS.

17

SO, LET’S DO IN ORDER FOR US TO

A QUICK TEST

UNDERSTAND WHAT

TO SEE IF

GOODNESS IS, WE HAVE

WE, IN THIS

TO LOOK AT WHERE GOOD

ROOM, ARE

ORIGINATED. AND GOODNESS

GOOD PEOPLE.

ORIGINATES FROM GOD. AND FOR SOMEONE TO BE GOOD, TRULY, THEY HAVE TO BE 100%, COMPLETELY GOOD. ACCORDING TO THE STANDARDS SET IN THE BIBLE, IF YOU ARE GUILTY OF BREAKING EVEN ONE PART OF GOD’S LAW, THEN YOU’RE GUILTY OF ALL OF IT.

HAS ANYONE EVER

HATED SOMEONE? JUST CAN’T

THE BIBLE SAYS THAT IF

LIED BEFORE?

STAND THE SIGHT OF ‘EM.

YOU HATE SOMEONE, YOU’VE ALREADY MURDERED THEM IN

ANYONE EVER STOLEN

YOUR HEART.

SOMETHING?

SO BY THAT STANDARD… EVERY SINGLE ONE OF US IN THIS ROOM IS A LYING, MURDEROUS, THIEF…

THAT DOESN’T SOUND TOO GOOD DOES IT? IN FACT, THE BIBLE SAYS THAT ALL SINNERS WILL FIND THEMSELVES IN HELL WHEN THEY DIE. I DON’T KNOW ABOUT YOU, BUT I DON’T WANT THAT FOR ME!

SO, THEN HOW DO WE BECOME GOOD? HOW CAN WE HAVE GOD SEE GOOD WHEN HE LOOKS AT OUR HEARTS, INSTEAD OF ALL THIS UGLY SIN?

18

YOU HAVE TO REPENT, AND BECOME BORN AGAIN.

WE CAN’T BECOME EXACTLY.

GOOD ENOUGH FOR GOD ON OUR OWN.

THE BIBLE SAYS THAT EVEN THE BEST, MOST GOOD THING WE TRY TO DO IN OUR OWN STRENGTH IS AS FILTHY RAGS TO GOD. WE HAVE TO RECOGNIZE THAT WE ARE SINNERS...THAT WE CAN’T MAKE OURSELVES GOOD, THAT WE’VE NEVER REALLY EVEN DONE GOOD THINGS! AND WE HAVE TO ASK GOD TO FORGIVE US OF OUR SINS.

GOD LOVED US SO MUCH THAT HE GAVE HIS ONLY SON, JESUS CHRIST, TO

SO THAT IF WE BELIEVE THAT JESUS

DIE ON THE CROSS FOR US. YOU SEE,

WAS THE SON OF GOD, AND REPENT

JESUS WAS THE ONLY PERSON TO EVER

OF OUR SINS, AND BELIEVE THAT

REALLY LIVE A GOOD LIFE. AND HE

HE ROSE AGAIN FROM THE DEAD, WE

TOOK ON ALL OF OUR SIN, AND SHAME,

CAN BECOME BORN AGAIN. GOD

AND GUILT, AND SICKNESS WHEN HE

MAKES US NEW AND GIVES US THE

DIED ON THE CROSS.

DESIRE TO TRULY DO GOOD. AND HE GIVES US THE STRENGTH TO HONOR HIM IN THE GOOD THAT WE DO. BUT IT ALL COMES FROM HIM. WE CAN’T DO ANYTHING TO EARN THAT GIFT OF SALVATION. IF ANYONE HERE HASN’T ACCEPTED THAT GIFT OF JESUS’ SACRIFICE, I WANT YOU TO SERIOUSLY CONSIDER THIS. WE NEVER KNOW HOW MUCH TIME WE HAVE IN THIS LIFE.

A LITTLE WHILE LATER...

19

ARE YOU SURE YOU DON’T WANT US TO WALK YOU HOME? IT’S DARK OUT.

HEY, UM. YOU DO THIS EVERY WEEK, RIGHT?

NO, I’M SURE

ARE YOU

YEAH!! EVERY FRIDAY AT 7!!

WANTING TO COME NEXT WEEK? I’M CONSIDERING IT…

ALL RIGHT!!

THE THREE OF US HAVE A CHAT, AND WE CAN ADD YOU IF YOU WANNA STAY IN TOUCH?

BUT BE PREPARED. I SEND A LOT OF CHRISTIAN MEMES.

20

HAH! I THINK I CAN HANDLE IT.

I’VE NEVER HEY… UM. THANK YOU….

HEARD

FOR ASKING ME TO

ANYTHING

COME TONIGHT.

LIKE THAT BEFORE, AND…

IF YOU’D BE UP FOR IT, I MIGHT WANT TO TALK MORE

OF COURSE!!

ABOUT ALL THIS… YOU KNOW. JESUS, AND WHAT PASTOR KRAIG WAS SAYING…

AAAWWWW!!!

GROUP HUG, EVERYBODY!

BRING IT IN, BIG GUY. BRING IT IN

21

For you have need of patience, so that when you have done the will of God you may receive what is promised.

Hebrews 10:36

22

Self-control & patience

23

WHOAAAA! SOMETHING SMELLS AMAZING!

FRESH OUT THE OVEN, HEY, IT’S MY TWO

SO DON’T TOUCH!

FAVORITE BOYS!

WAIT! I WANT UP, TOO!!

24

THE FAMILY HAS SPOKEN!

I THINK I’LL MAKE SOME WHIP CREAM TO GO ALONG WITH IT! THOUGHTS FROM THE FAMILY?

YOU KNOW I ALWAYS WANT WHIPPED CREAM.

WHIP CREAM! WHIP CREAM! OH NO!

WE’RE OUT OF CREAM….

HONEY, I’M GONNA RUN TO

OK, BABE

THE STORE AND PICK UP SOME MORE. THE PIE SHOULD BE

BLEH!

COOL ENOUGH TO EAT BY THE TIME I GET BACK!

!!

HT BACK U! BE RIG LOVE YO

DAD. LET’S EAT SOME! BYE, BABE!

25

WELL, MOM AND I BOTH ARE TELLING

NAH, BUD. MOM SAID

YOU TO WAIT ‘TIL IT COOLS. IT’S VERY

WE GOTTA WAIT ‘TIL

HOT. YOU’LL BURN YOUR TONGUE.

IT COOLS.

SHE CAN’T TELL YOU WHAT TO DO.

UGH… IT’S THE OFFICE. WHAT PART OF A PERSONAL DAY DO THEY NOT UNDERSTAND?

*

*RING *RING*

ANDY, GO AHEAD AND WATCH PUPPY BUDDIES WHILE I TAKE THIS.

HEY FRANK! IS THE OFFICE ON FIRE? WHAT’S GOING ON?

26

27

AA AA

A

ANDY!

ANDY , WHAT

!

Y , BUDD OH NO

HAPPENED!

IT’S OK.

I’VE GOT YOU. IT’S OK.

*SNIFF

*

*SNIFF*

28

A

AA

!!

HH!!!!!

AAAHHH

WHY DIDN’T YOU TRUST BUDDY, WHY’D YOU

MOMMY AND DADDY?

DO THAT?

I JUST… I DIDN’T WANT TO WAIT, AND...

AND... AND... *SNIFF*

I WANTED IT NOW.

BUT WE TOLD YOU TO WAIT. BUDDY, I KNOW IT CAN BE HARD TO WAIT FOR STUFF, ESPECIALLY WHEN WE WANT IT REALLY BADLY, AND WE KNOW

WHEN I GET BIG LIKE YOU AND MOMMY, WILL IT BE EASIER TO SAY NO?

IT’S GONNA BE GOOD. BUT WE STILL HAVE TO WAIT. YOU KNOW THE BIBLE SAYS THAT WE NEED PATIENCE, AND THAT WE NEED TO LEARN HOW TO SAY NO TO OURSELVES.

HONESTLY, I DON’T THINK BEING PATIENT AND TELLING YOURSELF, “NO,” EVER GETS EASIER, NECESSARILY. BUT WHAT I DO KNOW IS THAT THE MORE TIME I’VE SPENT WITH JESUS, THE MORE I’M ABLE TO.

29

GUESS WHO GOT SOME HEAVY WHIPPING CREAM!!

WAIT! WHAT HAPPENED HERE?

MOMMY , LOOK!

I DIDN’T WANT TO

WOAH! WOAH SLOW

WAIT, SO I TRIED TO

DOWN. BUT YOU’RE OK?

EAT THE PIE WHEN DADDY WAS TALKING, HE IS OK, RIGHT?

BUT THEN I TRIED TO GRAB IT, AND IT WAS HOT, SO IT HURT

YES, HE’S OK

REALLY, REALLY BAD, AND I CRIED, BUT THEN DADDY MADE ME PUT IT UNDER THE SINK, AND THEN HE-

WELL, OK THEN. PRAISE GOD.

WHY DON’T YOU AND DADDY WAIT, WHILE I WHIP UP THE CREAM AND THEN WE CAN ALL HAVE A SLICE, OK?

OK! ME AND DADDY ARE GONNA WAIT AND BE PATIENT, BECAUSE SOMETIMES YOU HAVE TO TELL YOURSELF NO.

30

OK… SO. LITTLE MAN. DO YOU

?

WANT TO HELP MOMMY?

I’LL TELL YOU LATER.

31

Be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, as God in Christ forgave you.

Ephesians 4:32

32

Kindness

33

HI, MARJ!!

HELLO, BETH.

34

BESIDES! HE DOESN’T

THAT’S A NEW BLANKET… DID YOUR SON

OH, YOU KNOW

STOP BY FOR YOUR BIRTHDAY?

THAT IDIOT NEVER

HAVE ENOUGH TASTE

COMES HERE.

TO GET SOMETHING SO NICE.

NO,

S!

THI

THIS WAS A GIFT FROM

IS THAT WHAT WE’RE CALLING HER?

THE SHADY PINES ANGEL. WELL NO ONE KNOWS WHO IT ACTUALLY IS! AND I LIKE IT! GIVES IT AN AIR OF MYSTERY.

WELL, I’M NOT ONE TO GOSSIP, BUT I PERSONALLY THINK IT’S KAYLIE.

YOU KNOW, THAT SWEET LITTLE NURSING STUDENT, THAT WOULD LOOK JUST DIVINE IF SHE LOST A FEW POUNDS, WHO VOLUNTEERS HERE.

35

FIRST OF ALL, DON’T LIE. YOU LOVE TO GOSSIP.

AND SECOND, SHE’S NOT EVEN HERE TODAY, SO IT CAN’T BE HER.

YOU KNOW, IT’S YOUR BIRTHDAY TOMORROW.

36

MMMM....

UGH… EVEN I’M NOT OLD ENOUGH TO WAKE UP THIS EARLY….

OH WELL…. I GUESS, I’M UP.

37

AAH!!

*CLICK*

WHAT IN GOD’S NAME??? WHAT

I DON’T WANT

DO YOU WANT!!!

ANYTHING OF YOURS. I WILL CALL THE

I JUST CAME TO LEAVE THIS.

POLICE!!!!!!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY.

WOAH! WAIT, MRS. SIMMONS!

MRS. SIMMONS. I’M SORRY TO DISTURB YOU! I DIDN’T THINK YOU’D BE UP.

WHAT IS THAT?

38

WELL, I WANTED IT TO BE A SURPRISE, BUT IN THE INTEREST OF

WHERE DID YOU GET THIS?

NOT DEALING WITH THE POLICE, I’LL SHOW YOU.

WELL. IT MAY SURPRISE YOU, BUT I MADE IT.

I LIKE TO DO STUFF WITH MY HANDS TO DESTRESS AFTER WORK. I WAS ALREADY MAKING THINGS, SO I THOUGHT I’D GIVE THEM TO THE RESIDENTS WHEN I CAN.

I WANTED TO LET THEM KNOW SOMEONE CARED ABOUT THEM, ESPECIALLY THE ONES WHOSE FAMILIES DON’T VISIT AS OFTEN.

39

SO. A GEORGIA PEACH,

WHY WOULD YOU DO SOMETHING….

FOR A GEORGIA PEACH.

SO KIND….FORFOR SOMEONE WHO IS VERY CLEARLY PREJUDICED AGAINST ME?

HEHE.

MRS. SIMMONS,

AND IF THERE’S

I’M A BORN AGAIN

ONE THING I’VE

BELIEVER.

LEARNED IN THE YEARS THAT I’VE SERVED JESUS..

AND HE’S CALLED ME TO DO THE SAME. IT’S THAT HE LOVED EVERYONE. EVEN THE ONES WHO HATED HIM.

40

MRS. SIMMONS, I’VE ALREADY FORGIVEN YOU FOR ALL THE LITTLE SLIGHTS YOU’VE GIVEN ME, BECAUSE I KNOW HOW MUCH I’VE BEEN FORGIVEN. THE BIBLE SAYS, “BE NOT OVERCOME OF EVIL, BUT OVERCOME EVIL WITH GOOD.”

AND IF A SMALL ACT OF KINDNESS IS ENOUGH

I DON’T NEED

TO CONVINCE YOU THAT

YOUR PITY.

THERE IS A POWER HIGHER

I DON’T PITY YOU. I CARE ABOUT YOUR SOUL.

THAN YOURSELF, THEN I’M GOING TO DO IT.

BUT I LIKE THE SCARF SO I’LL INDULGE YOU THIS ONCE. TELL YOU WHAT. WE’RE BOTH UP, WHY DON’T WE HAVE A CUP OF COFFEE AND CHAT ABOUT IT.

WELL, ALRIGHT THEN.

YOUNG MAN, I’M OLD. AND I’M SET IN MY WAYS….

41

One who is faithful in a very little is also faithful in much.

Luke 16: 10a

42

Faithfulness

43

DING! DING!

ONE AMERICANO, WITH A HAM AND EGG AND CHEESE SANDWICH COMING RIGHT UP! MORNING, JOE!

MORNING, BERN HAH! I’M GETTING PREDICTABLE

IT’LL BE OUT IN JUST A MINUTE.

44

EVERYDAY HE ORDERS THE SAME THING SITS DOWN, AND READS ON HIS PHONE I’VE BEEN RUNNING THIS SHOP FOR THREE YEARS, AND BERN WAS MY FIRST REGULAR CUSTOMER.

HE DOES THE SAME EXACT THING EVERYDAY EXCEPT SUNDAY. ON SUNDAYS, HE ORDERS ENOUGH FOR HIS WIFE

WHILE HE FINISHES HIS BREAKFAST. SOMETIMES WE CHAT, BUT HE’S MORE OF A QUIET MAN.

SOMETIMES, HE BRINGS HIS DAUGHTER HERE, AND I OVERHEAR THEIR CONVERSATIONS.

AND DAUGHTER, SO THEY CAN HAVE BREAKFAST TOGETHER, THEN ALL HEAD TO CHURCH.

SHE TELLS HIM EVERYTHING.

THEY SEEM TO HAVE SUCH A GOOD RELATIONSHIP...

IN ALL MY LIFE, I’VE NEVER MET A MAN SO

I HAVE A LOT OF

CONSISTENT.

RESPECT FOR BERN, AND I FIND MYSELF ASKING, HOW DOES HE DO IT?

45

HEY, BERN. I HOPE YOU BERN, YOUR

DON’T MIND ME ASKING, BUT… IT’S JUST…

ORDER’S READY.

I’VE NEVER SEEN SOMEONE SO CONSISTENT. MAYBE IT’S YOUR PERSONALITY, BUT THE WAY I SEE IT, THERE’S GOT TO BE DECISIONS BEHIND THAT. MAYBE I’M READING INTO THINGS, BUT WHAT’S YOUR SECRET? HOW DO YOU DO IT?

HMM. I’VE NEVER BEEN ASKED THAT BEFORE…

EVERYDAY I WAKE UP, AND I SPEND SOME TIME IN PRAYER BEFORE I GO ABOUT MY DAY. AND I ASK GOD TO GIVE ME THE STRENGTH I NEED TO ACCOMPLISH ALL I NEED TO DO.

I DON’T LIVE A VERY GLAMOROUS LIFE. I WORK A DESK JOB, I VOLUNTEER WHERE I CAN UP AT MY CHURCH, AND I DO MY BEST TO BE THERE FOR MY FAMILY.

46

WELL.

BUT I’M VERY THANKFUL FOR THE LIFE I’VE BEEN GIVEN, AND IF THIS IS ALL GOD HAS FOR ME, THEN I’M GOING TO LIVE MY BEST FOR HIM WITH IT.

I DON’T KNOW IF THAT ANSWERED YOUR QUESTION AT ALL… I WON’T LIE. IT TOOK ME

BY SURPRISE.

NO, THAT HELPED. THANK YOU.

WELL, I’M GLAD. IF YOU EVER WANT TO TALK MORE, JUST LET ME KNOW. ENJOY THE REST OF YOUR DAY, JOE!

YOU, TOO, JOE! HAVE A GREAT DAY AT WORK, BERN.

47

A gentle answer turns away wrath, but a harsh word stirs up anger.

Proverbs 15:1

48

Gentleness

49

BABE, WHERE YA’ GOIN?

WE’RE OUT OF DETERGENT, AND I GOTTA GET THE LAUNDRY FOR THE WEEK DONE.

OH OK. I THINK WE’RE

OH YEAH, SPEAKING

LOW ON GARBAGE

OF GARBAGE. TRASH

BAGS, TOO.

GETS PICKED UP

YEP! I GOT YOU.

TODAY, SO PLEASE TAKE IT OUT FOR ME!

LOVE YOU! BYE!

BYE!

50

THANKS, BABE.

SOME TIME LATER

WHAT THE?

THIS JOKER.

*GRRR*

51

I SHOULD SLAP THAT MAN INTO NEXT WEEK. HE CAN’T BE BOTHERED TO TAKE OUT THE TRASH???

WHEN IT’S PRETTY MUCH THE ONLY THING I EXPECT OF HIM???

AND I REMINDED HIM OF IT, TOO!!!

I COOK FOR THIS MAN. *SIGH*

I CLEAN HIS NASTY UNDERWEAR...

AND WHEN I NEED SOMETHING FROM HIM, “OH! SORRY BABE, I FORGOT!”

BOY, I TOLD YOU WHAT I WANTED.

52

HM?

HE HASN’T WORN THIS IN A WHILE…

IN FACT, IT WAS AFTER

I DON’T EVEN

OUR FIRST FIGHT.

REMEMBER WHAT IT WAS ABOUT….

53

DIANA.

OH… YOU MUST BE JOKING. WANNA BORROW IT?

YOU CAN NOT POSSIBLY THINK THAT YOU’RE ABOUT TO GET LUCKY.

54

DON’T ACT LIKE I DON’T SEE YOU STEALING MY SWEATSHIRTS ALL THE TIME. AND YOU USUALLY DO IT WHEN YOU’RE UPSET.

YEAH, WELL,

WELL, I DIDN’T GO ANYWHERE.

YOU’RE THE FIRST PERSON I THINK TO GO TO WHEN I’M UPSET.

IF YOU’RE NOT AROUND, AT LEAST I CAN STEAL YOUR STUFF. IT SMELLS LIKE YOU...MAKES ME FEEL

AND I DON’T WANT TO FIGHT WITH

CLOSE TO YOU….

YOU OVER LITTLE STUFF. IT’S YOU AND ME AGAINST THE WORLD, NOT US AGAINST EACH OTHER.

GOD GAVE ME THE MOST WONDERFUL WIFE TO LOVE, AND I KNOW I DON’T ALWAYS LIVE UP TO THE STANDARD OF “LOVING YOU AS CHRIST LOVED THE CHURCH.” I’M SORRY, BABE.

YEAH, WELL… I’M NOT ALWAYS OPERATING ON “PROVERBS 31” LEVEL. I’M SORRY FOR BLOWING UP AT YOU, TOO.

55

FORGIVE ME?

OF COURSE.

*SIGH*

FATHER, FORGIVE ME FOR WANTING TO SNAP AT MY HUSBAND, AND THANK YOU FOR GIVING ME A LOVING, GODLY MAN.

56

HEY BABE.

DID YOU REMEMBER THE TRASH?

OH NO! I TOTALLY FORGOT.

HEY.

IF I GO NOW, I THINK I CAN STILL MAKE IT BEFORE PICKUP

HEY, DI. DID YOU REMEMBER TO GET MORE TRASH BAGS?

OOPS…. I FORGOT, TOO.

57

Though the fig tree does not bud and there are no grapes on the vines, though the olive crop fails and the fields produce no food, though there are no sheep in the pen and no cattle in the stalls, yet I will rejoice in the Lord, I will be joyful in God my Savior.

Habakkuk 3:17-18

58

Joy & Peace

59

MORNING!

MORNING, KAYLIE. YOU GOT THE LOVEBIRDS IN ROOM 307.

name

OH NO.... , RYAN

m Graha age

26

ns. tusio e con sever . d a e m r fe ed co t suf -induc patien ically in med d e c pla

notes

OOH! LOVEBIRDS, HUH?

60

307

WHERE SHALL I GO FROM YOUR SPIRIT, AND WHERE SHALL I FLEE FROM YOUR PRESENCE. IF I-

NOCK

K

KNOCK

HELLO, MRS. GRAHAM! I’M

OH, HELLO.

JUST HERE TO LOOK IN ON

THANK YOU!

MR. GRAHAM. JUST CHECKING HIS VITALS AND HIS IV DRIP.

AND YOU CAN CALL ME ALLISON. ANYTIME I HEAR “MRS. GRAHAM,” IT

SO, IF

MAKES ME THINK OF HIS MOM.

YOU NEED ANYTHING

HAHA! WELL, IT’S A PLEASURE TO

OR HAVE

MEET YOU, ALLISON! I’M KAYLIE.

QUESTIONS

I’M GOING TO BE YOUR NURSE

FEEL FREE

DURING THE WEEK.

TO ASK!

I APPRECIATE IT.

61

SO, WHAT WAS THAT YOU WERE READING A SECOND AGO. IT KINDA

HAH! NO. IT’S THE

SOUNDED LIKE SHAKESPEARE.

BOOK OF PSALMS IN THE BIBLE. IT’S ONE

YOUR HUSBAND A LITERATURE BUFF?

OF RYAN’S FAVORITE PASSAGES. PSALM 139.

OH OK! WELL THAT’S

I’LL BE HONEST,

I GREW UP CHRISTIAN,

GREAT THAT YOU’RE

I DON’T KNOW

TOO. SO DID HE. THAT’S

READING TO HIM.

MUCH ABOUT

ACTUALLY WHERE WE MET.

THE BIBLE.

SUNDAY SCHOOL.

MY FAMILY IS CHRISTIAN, BUT I DON’T THINK I’VE GONE TO CHURCH SINCE I WAS A KID.

OH HOW THINGS CHANGE, AM I RIGHT? HE CRIED ALL THE TIME, AND I I WAS 5. HE WAS 3.

62

THOUGHT HE WAS A BABY.

THAT’S CRAZY! YOU’VE KNOWN HIM LIKE YOUR WHOLE LIFE.

YEP. COULDN’T HAVE ASKED FOR A BETTER BEST FRIEND.

WELL, I’M GONNA GO CHECK ON MY OTHER PATIENTS! AS ALWAYS, JUST LET ME KNOW IF YOU NEED ANYTHING.

63

SLOW DOWN THERE, CHAMP.

I’M GENUINELY NOT SURE IF I

HELL, ONE TIME I

EVEN SLEPT LAST NIGHT, AND I’VE GOT TO BE CHIPPER FOR THE LOVEBIRDS.

HA! WHILE I APPRECIATE

WAS IN THERE AFTER

YOUR ENTHUSIASM, I

A GRAVEYARD SHIFT LOOKING LIKE

DON’T THINK SHE CARES.

DEATH, AND THAT LADY PRAYED FOR ME. HER HUSBAND IS LYING NEXT TO HER, FIGHTING FOR LIFE, AND SHE PRAYED FOR ME. I DON’T KNOW HOW SHE DOES IT…

I’M SURE SHE’S JUST

I WAS IN THERE YESTERDAY,

PUTTING ON A BRAVE

AND SHE SAID THEY’D ONLY

FACE. I MEAN… I COULDN’T

BEEN MARRIED FOR A YEAR. AND

HANDLE THAT.

NOW THIS. IT’S DEPRESSING.

I DON’T KNOW… I KNOW

IN MY 20 YEARS, I’VE NEVER

SHE’S GOTTA BE HURTING,

SEEN ANYONE LIKE HER.

BUT THERE’S A CALM ABOUT IT. LIKE SHE’S NOT WORRIED

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HELLO, ALLISON!

*DRRRINNG* *DRI

NG*

*DRING*

NO, NO! IT’S OK. DO OH, I’M SORRY. DO YOU

YOUR THING! I WAS

WANT A MOMENT?

JUST GONNA SING

I CAN COME BACK.

FOR HIM.

I WROTE HIM SOMETHING BACK WHEN WE FIRST GOT MARRIED AND WE HAD A LOT TO FIGURE OUT.

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I THINK IT APPLIES TO NOW TOO.

OU TH

D AN

GH

THE FIG TREE

RE’S TH E

DO ES N’T BLOSSOM

NO GR AP ES

UP ON THE VINE TIMES GET THE EV EN HARDER T H E SU N F D N AI A LS TO SHINE LET MY STA TE N’T O W D I I SC O U R A G E ME OPE WAS MY H NE VE R T H ER E

OH

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T , YE

WILL I REJOI CE I D N THE LOR

R MY HOPE IN MY DESPAI

GOD GIVES. AND HE YOU KEEP TALKING ABOUT GOD,

TAKES AWAY. BUT NO

LIKE HE HASN’T ABANDONED YOU.

MATTER WHAT HAPPENS,

HOW….. ARE YOU OK?

IT DOESN’T CHANGE THE FACT THAT HE’S GOOD.

I COME IN HERE, AND YOU’RE SMILING.

YOU CAN’T POSSIBLY BE HAPPY...

AND OF COURSE I’M NOT HAPPY. I MISS MY HUSBAND.

BUT THE JOY OF THE LORD IS MY STRENGTH. AND JOY CAN’T BE SWAYED BECAUSE IT IS FOUND IN JESUS, NOT CIRCUMSTANCES

WITH ALL MY HEART. GOD IS GOOD. AND HE LOVES MY RYAN MORE THAN I EVER COULD. SO I CAN REST IN THAT.

YOU REALLY BELIEVE THAT…

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Love is patient and kind; love does not envy or boast; it is not arrogant or rude. It does not insist on its own way; it is not irritable or resentful; it does not rejoice at wrongdoing, but rejoices with the truth. Love bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things. Love never ends.

1 Corinthians 13: 4-8a

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Love

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HEY NAN!

WHY DO YOU KEEP THIS UGLY PAINTING?

IT SERVES AS A GOOD REMINDER, AND IT IS NOT UGLY!

MAYBE A LITTLE OLD FASHIONED, BUT I LIKE MY STUFF THAT WAY.

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HEY NAN? CAN I ASK

CUZ I’M AN OLD

YOU SOMETHING?

FUDDY-DUDDY!

OF COURSE.

LET’S JUST SAY…A

ANYWAY. THIS PERSON

PERSON I KNOW, NOT

WELL. WHO’S AMANDA JOHNSON?

IS REALLY TIRED OF

ME… OF COURSE.

IS THIS YOUR FRIEND YOU’RE

AMANDA JOHNSON

TALKING ABOUT?

ALWAYS TAKING OVER HER GAMES AT RECESS. NO. SHE IS NOT MY FRIEND.

SHE THINKS SHE’S BETTER THAN ME AND THAT’S WHY SHE’S ALWAYS TRYING

SO THIS IS ABOUT YOU, HUH?

TO TAKE OVER MY GAMES AND MY FRIENDS AND MY WHOLE ENTIRE LIFE.

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SECOND COLUMN. SECOND ROW. WHAT?

ON THAT UGLY OLD PAINTING. SECOND COLUMN. SECOND ROW.

YOU KNOW IT’S

OH, ALEXA JANE

CREEPY THAT

MILLS, COME

YOU MEMORIZED

OVER HERE.

WHERE IT IS.

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DO YOU KNOW HOW HAPPY I WAS WHEN YOU CAME AND TOLD ME, “NAN! NAN! I GAVE MY HEART TO JESUS!!” YOU REMEMBER THAT?

IT WASN’T THAT LONG AGO. OF COURSE I REMEMBER.

WELL, NOW THAT JESUS HAS YOUR HEART, THAT MEANS YOU HAVE TO

HE’S THE ONE THAT TAUGHT US HOW TO LOVE IN THE FIRST PLACE. AND HE LOVED EVEN WHEN IT WAS HARD.

LIVE EVERY DAY SHOWING HOW MUCH YOU LOVE HIM TO EVERYONE. EVEN AMANDA JOHNSON.

THANKS, NAN

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HEY , NAN!!! *KNO

CK*

K*

*KNOC

IT’S MY PAL, AL!

AND YOU BROUGHT AMANDA!

HOW’S MY BABY!!!!

HOW ARE YOU, DEAR?

YES, PLEASE. YOU WANT SOME TEA?

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I’M GOOD, MRS. LOWELL.

I THINK AL REALLY LIKES OLD TESTAMENT HISTORY. SO, MY BIG COLLEGE GIRLS. I’M SO GLAD YOU TWO DECIDED TO VISIT! HOW ARE YOUR CLASSES?

HIS NAME IS ZACK REALLY? I STILL

AND AL HAS BECOME VERY ACQUAINTED WITH HIM

STRUGGLE WITH GETTING THROUGH SOME OF THE BOOKS IN THE OLD TESTAMENT. WHAT INTERESTS YOU ABOUT THAT CLASS? SHUT UP!

WHAT?? IT’S OBVIOUS YOU LIKE HIM. IT’S A 7:00 A.M. LECTURE, AND YOU WEAR

MMMHMMM. BUT NOT

MAKEUP FOR IT! YOU NEVER EVEN WORE

AS MUCH AS YOU

MAKEUP BEFORE THIS SEMESTER.

WATCH ZACK PLAY FLAG FOOTBALL ON THE WEEKENDS.

I JUST STARTED WATCHING TUTORIALS IS ALL.

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DUDE! IT’S NOT LIKE ANYTHING IS EVEN GONNA COME OF IT!

I MEAN… WE’RE GOOD FRIENDS, BUT I DON’T THINK HE’D EVER LOOK AT ME AS MORE THAN THAT…BUT LIKE… I FEEL LIKE IF IT’S HIM, I COULD BE IN THIS FOR THE LONG HAUL, Y’KNOW

YOU THINK THIS YOUNG MAN WOULD MAKE A GOOD HUSBAND?

I’D NEVER EVEN THOUGHT OF IT AS AN OPTION BEFORE HIM. BUT HE’S SO KIND, AND HE LOVES THE LORD, AND I JUST

NO WAY… AL MILLS IS TRYING

REALLY RESPECT HIM Y’KNOW.. BUT I DON’T THINK THIS IS

TO GET THAT MRS DEGREE?

GONNA GO ANYWHERE… AT LEAST NOT ANYTIME SOON

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WELL. FIRST COLUMN. TOP

AM I MISSING

ROW. SECOND COLUMN,

SOMETHING HERE?

BOTTOM ROW. ALSO THIRD COLUMN, BOTTOM ROW.

C’MON. I’LL

LOOK.

SHOW YOU.

FIRST COLUMN.

SECOND COLUMN,

THIRD COLUMN,

TOP ROW.

BOTTOM ROW.

BOTTOM ROW.

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I REMEMBER WHEN I MET MY ADAM. HE MOVED TO OUR TOWN RIGHT AFTER I HAD GRADUATED FROM COLLEGE. MOST OF MY FRIENDS HAD GOTTEN MARRIED, AND I THOUGHT MY CHANCES WERE GONE.

WELL, ADAM AND I BOTH STARTED VOLUNTEERING AT THE CHURCH WE ATTENDED, AND I FELL IN LOVE WITH HIS GIVING SPIRIT. BUT HE WASN’T READY TO GET MARRIED THEN.

SILLY NOW, LOOKING BACK

HE FELT CALLED TO

AT HOW I THOUGHT I’D BE

TEACH ENGLISH AT

A SPINSTER AT 22.

A MISSION SCHOOL IN HONDURAS, AND HE DIDN’T WANT TO LEAVE ME HERE ALONE. SO, WE AGREED THAT WE WOULD REMAIN FRIENDS, AND HE WOULD DO WHAT GOD CALLED HIM TO DO.

BUT EVERYDAY I GREW TO LOVE HIM MORE, AND I WONDERED WHY GOD WAS MAKING ME WAIT FOR THAT BLESSING. BUT HE KNOWS BEST.

AL, I’M NOT GOING TO SUGARCOAT IT. THIS PART OF YOUR WALK WITH THE LORD WILL BE HARD. BUT I KNOW YOU LOVE THE LORD MORE THAN YOU LOVE ANYONE ELSE, EVEN THIS ZACK FELLOW.

I LEARNED SO MUCH ABOUT GOD’S LOVE WHEN I WAITED, AND ENDURED THOSE LONELY NIGHTS.

GOD WILL HELP YOU THROUGH LOVING HIM WITH PATIENCE AND HOPE, AND GOD WILL GIVE YOU THE STRENGTH TO ENDURE WHEN LOVING IS HARD.

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AW….. MRS. LOWELL!!!

THAT WAS BEAUTIFUL

IT WAS! THANKS, NAN.

OF COURSE! NOW GIVE YOUR NAN A HUG, GIRLS.

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HONEY

I PACKED UP ALL OF

IS THERE ANYTHING

NAN’S OLD CHINA

ELSE YOU WANTED

THAT SHE LEFT FOR

FROM THE HOUSE?

YOU IN THE CAR.

THIS, TOO, BABE.

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HUH. IT’S NOT REALLY YOUR STYLE.

HAH! OK, BABE. I LOVE YOU

I LOVE YOU, TOO.

WELL, I LIKE IT THAT WAY. CUZ, I’M AN OLD FUDDY-DUDDY.

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Special Thanks to: My mother for supporting me through the journeys of education and life My father for serving as an inspiration for my stories, and being a listening ear through the whole process of creating my book My best friends, Laurel, Taylore, and Hope for helping me brainstorm ideas, critiquing my storylines, and always being ready with a joke to lift my spirits The many Christians I personally know whose lives inspired these stories. There are too many to name here in this book, but your works are written in the Lamb’s Book of Life.

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what is the fruit of your life?

The Bible refers to our actions as the “fruit” of our lives.

But it does not just stop there. In Galatians 5, we find the fruit that Christians should be exhibiting in their everyday lives. Love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control- these are the fruits of a life that is fully committed to the Lord.

In this collection of stories, Samantha Cornwell invites you to take a look at the lives of different individuals as they learn about the different Fruits of the Spirit. As you take a glimpse into this cast of characters’ walk with the Lord, you will find that the supernatural is found in the simple acts of obedience to God’s Word.

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