Many years ago, my mother created a large decoupaged picture of fruit displayed on a plain cloth partially covering a wooden table with a surprisingly elegant draped cloth as the background. There's a sense or feeling of royalty about it as the fruit is displayed filling a massive size, ornamental looking bowl. A large heavily designed pitcher and golden goblets on golden trays surround the fruit bowl filled with grapes, apples, and pears, some having fallen onto the plain cloth amidst the kingly serving pieces.

     It is that sense of royalty that causes me to envision Jesus, our King of Kings and Lord of Lords. It causes me also to wonder if my mother was reminded of the patience of our Lord Jesus, our creator, when she was patiently creating this work of art. What were her thoughts? Did she happen to think of the fruit of the spirit as her hand moved across the pictured bowl of fruit? Did she know joy and peace through this endeavor, and what about patience? I wonder if my mother felt joyful through this creative process, knowing the joy of Jesus by His presence as she used her God-given gifts to create this piece that has become so special to me and one I have named, "My Mother's Fruit of the Spirit
Decoupage." With every glace of this beauty, it will bring to my remembrance Galatians 5:22-23 - "But the fruit of the spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control. Against such there is no law." In viewing this decoupaged creation, I will always be reminded of these qualities that should be exemplified in my life and in the life of each Christian. As I remember and wonder, and quietly say, "thank you, mother."