Patience...I have so little of it on my own. I am severly lacking in this quality. It's lack thereof defines my days and hinders my testimony. Without it, my temper flairs and regret pours in.

Compassion is also not in full abundance and yet sorely needed. Truly caring for another's suffering and pain, or even the circumstances of someone's life. Or more pointedly, understanding when my kids "mess-up" or make poor choices and remembering that they are only their age and still learning, as we all are.

Mercy and grace, what a gift to posess and distribute freely. Second chances! Not always being called to account for what we have done wrong. Mistakes are made all the time. Mercy gives us another chance that we really don't deserve, patiently guiding us again in the right direction. Grace blesses us beyond what we could ever deserve, delighting our souls in it's gift.

Servitude? Oh to have a servant's heart. To not just ask for help to make my life easier, but to give it freely. To strive to do for others instead of always taking. Not thinking of myself and how tired I am or what I need and want, but what I can do for someone else to make their life better.

I could certainly use the gift of long-suffering. My mentality runs more along the lines of "That is not fair!" and must be made right. I tend to voice those wrong-doings instead of swallowing them down and moving on. I expect my family to get it right the first time, instead of realizing how long-suffering God is on my own behalf, giving me opportunity after opporunity to get it right. Long-suffering listens to someone else's woes and concerns for the 100th time, patiently, because more than likely, they are doing the same for me!

Wisdom...oh grant me this my Lord! How I desperately need it in my day to day life!! In the morning as I start my day, on the fly as I run through it, and at night as I contemplate the deeper concerns. I want to follow your ways and lead my family on the road you have chosen for us, but I need your wisdom, God, every moment.

Love...if the world and my life were ruled by love how differently it would look! Who would need to do "great" things? All things would be great if characterized by love. Love listens without impatience to every word, eye-to-eye, full attention given. Love guides words so that they overflow with compassion and grace instead of cutting, impatient remarks or irritation. Love keeps its mouth shut! Love smiles often and hugs freely. It encourages and doesn't criticize. Love goes out of it's way to help, even when inconvenient.

In other words, I need God to fill me up to overflowing. I need an overabundance of Him in my life so that His fruit characterizes my life! I also need to lighten up and live~stop worrying and start living in Him! Gushing with His mercy, grace, love and delight. Laughing, truly living each moment, not just surviving, and reflecting who He is in the life He has given!!