Bear Sightings

But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, meekness, temperance: against such there is no law.   Galatians 5:22-23 (KJV)

My family has lived in a rural area of our city for over thirty years. Last year was my first bear sighting. It was a picture taken from a game camera. For several months there was no sign of the bear/s. However, just recently the bears have been showing up and now have young.

A few days ago while sitting down to dinner we were entertained by momma bear with her two cubs in our back yard! We watched in awe as the cubs played with each other, nursed and climbed trees. After a while momma bear instinctively moved back into the cover of the woods.

Today another bear enjoyed dragging out our trash and meandered for over two hours in the yard. When my husband and I went out to clean up the debris we noticed momma bear standing in the woods just a few yards away watching us intently. Within seconds her cubs climbed the tree just far enough to get a glimpse of us.

Naturally we back tracked and went to the house. However the sight is ingrained in my mind. Six curious eyes staring at us as if to say we’ve never seen anything like you before.

Their curious stare caused me to wonder how people see those of us claiming to be Christians. When someone looks upon you is there anything in your life that stands out for Christ?

Are you passionate about your walk and your relationship with Christ? Do you exhibit the fruit of the Spirit? Is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, meekness and temperance evident in your words and actions?  Are non-Christians staring at you as if they’ve never seen anything like you before?

I want people to look at me as curiously as the bears did. I want them to see Christ alive in my life. How about you?

Father God, I thank you for your gift of salvation.  Use me to exhibit the fruit of your Holy Spirit causing a lost and dying world to want what you have to offer.  In Jesus Name.  Amen.

Geri Hoggard

Geri Hoggard

Geri Hoggard, and her husband of 32 years, Buddy, reside in Chesapeake, Va. They have three adult children and seven grandchildren. She is passionate about women’s ministry. Her goal is to help other women realize their potential in the Lord Jesus Christ. As a pastor’s wife, she is passionate about her calling as a “prayer warrior” to undergird her husband’s ministry. She believes in practicing the presence of God, and teaches women the necessity of a “prayer closet” walk.