Psalms 145:7
“Everyone will share the story of your wonderful goodness; they will sing with joy about your righteousness.”

What is goodness? My thought when I read the Fruit of the Holy Spirit in Galatians 5:22-23, I think of it meaning ‘giving’. I came up with other words to define goodness, mercy, generosity, good will, honesty, righteous, and friendliness. Thinking of God, that describes His character, and Jesus lived goodness on earth. As we show these actions to one another, we are representing the love of God through the goodness of our hearts.

This reminds me of the story of the Good Samaritan in Luke 10:25-31. The man that stopped to help a man on the side of the road, bandaged him, and too him to an inn and even paid to have him cared for.

Thinking about goodness, how do we show goodness? Some people cook for the sick, some take people to the doctors, get groceries, pray, some listen and encourage others, some write cards, some knit prayer shawls… I could go on and on. The Holy Spirit guides our day. He helps keep our attitude in check, because the world can get us off track. Anger bitterness, hate, unforgiveness, complaining, blaming can all take over. We know where that comes from! We call on the Holy Spirit to bring us back to Jesus’ way. John 14:6 tells us, “I am the way and the truth and the life.” Love covers Joy Peace, Patience, Faithfulness, Goodness, Kindness, Gentleness and Discipline. We can not go wrong with the Holy Spirit in our hearts.

We say, “God is good always,” amen to that! When we greet people we say, “Good morning,” “Good afternoon,” or “Good evening.” To me that is saying, “God be with you.”

In love and blessings,
Carol Cotant. 3/21/21