That’s How Seeds Work
LYSA TERKEURST
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“But the Holy Spirit produces this kind of fruit in our lives: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. There is no law against these things!” Galatians 5:22-23 (NLT)
Editor’s Note: Don’t skip a single day this week. From March 23-27, each devotion includes a never-before-seen excerpt from Lysa TerKeurst’s first prayer book, Come Close to Jesus. Trust us — you’ll want to read every one.
While walking along the prayer path on my property one day, I noticed a thick, swirly vine I’d never seen before. My curiosity was piqued.
As I traced the twists and turns of its branches back through the fence, I was shocked to discover a huge, fully grown pumpkin right there in my yard. Yes, a pumpkin!
That may not be unusual for you, but I don’t have a garden in my yard. I remembered that my granddaughters had been carving a pumpkin there months earlier. What I could see now was the obvious fruit of seeds that must have fallen to the ground.
I never saw the seeds, but I didn’t need to. The fruit I could now see was undeniable evidence that the seeds had been there. That is simply how it works with seeds. Whatever kind of seed goes into the ground is the kind of fruit that eventually comes out of the ground.
The same is true of our hearts and lives.
When we spend consistent time with Jesus, the seed of His righteousness grows in our hearts and produces the fruit that today’s key verses talk about — “love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control” (Galatians 5:22-23).
The fruit of the Spirit is evidence of God’s Spirit in us. It doesn’t mean we’re perfect, but it does mean that more and more often, in the way we treat others, we will notice these things:
Love replaces selfishness.
Joy replaces angry outbursts and edgy frustration.
Peace replaces demands for control.
Patience replaces a quick temper.
Kindness replaces rudeness.
Goodness replaces selfish ambition.
Faithfulness replaces incessant desire for self-gratification.
Gentleness replaces a harsh approach.
Self-control replaces unrestrained impulses.
Growth takes time. Be patient with yourself and consistent with God. It’s about progress, not perfection. Those pumpkin seeds had been in the ground nearly 90 days before I saw their fruit.
I love knowing that God made us full of potential and purpose. We can trust that He made us to produce fruit. Good fruit. Fruit that brings glory to Him.
Apart from God, we can do nothing (John 15:5). Just like that pumpkin could not have grown without the seeds the girls dropped, the fruit of the Spirit cannot grow unless we choose to spend time talking to Jesus and filling our hearts and minds with the good seeds of God’s Word.
Dear Lord, I don’t just want to know You; I want the fruit of my life to reflect You in all I say and do. Help me to show Your love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control to everyone I encounter. Thank You for loving me just as I am, but help me recognize the areas where I need more growth. Help me to rest in Your timing and to trust that as I spend time with You, I will be transformed. Lord, I pray more and more of You will flow through me so when others see me, they will see more of You. Give me the strength to keep pressing into Your presence even when I don’t feel like I’m making progress. I trust You are faithful to complete the good work You started in me. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.
P.S. Mark your calendar for Holy Week (March 29-April 5). For eight days, we’ll pause together to steady our hearts in the finished work of Jesus — one scripture and one quiet reminder at a time.
OUR FAVORITE THINGS
There’s a woman who pulls into her driveway and sits in her car for a little too long. Not because she’s avoiding anything — but because she needs a minute before walking inside. A minute to breathe. A minute to pray. A minute to say, “God, I’m trying.” She doesn’t tell anyone about these pauses. But they’re the places where her faith holds on. When she reaches out to Proverbs 31 Ministries asking for prayer, it’s usually from this in-between moment — where life hasn’t fallen apart but her heart feels stretched thin. Your generosity helps meet her right there. You help place Truth and Scripture-shaped prayer into the quiet moments where she’s trying to stay steady. That’s exactly why Come Close to Jesus was written — to give her words when she’s too tired to find her own. Give today and help steady the heart of a woman sitting in her car, trying her best.
ENGAGE
Find everyday encouragement when you connect with Lysa TerKeurst here on Instagram.
FOR DEEPER STUDY
John 15:5, “I am the vine; you are the branches. If you remain in me and I in you, you will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing” (NIV).
What do you need to do this week to spend time with Jesus more consistently? Maybe it’s getting up early to do a Bible study or committing to a daily prayer journal.
We’d love to hear from you in the comments.
© 2026 by Lysa TerKeurst. All rights reserved.
Proverbs 31 Ministries
P.O. Box 3189
Matthews, NC 28106
www.Proverbs31.org
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