Perfecting Fruit

AARG! I hate unexpected annoyances! They come in the form of the vehicle breaking down, unwelcome company dropping by and/or a new washer acting up. The cliche of things happening in threes seems to ring true as I wait for the other shoe to drop. I'm vocal about my frustration, as the soul requires it, but then I wrestle with making the choice to continue to murmer, complain and wallow in these cares of this world. Or I can exercise free will and look at it as an opportunity to perfect the fruit of the Spirit, a much harder decision. After all I like feeling sorry for myself, why is this happening to me becomes my mantra. People express thier care and concern as I've made myself the center of attention, negating being Christlike in a world filled with much greater problems. Exercising free will helps me to make the word flesh by starting to think on "whatever is true, honorable, right, pure, lovely, good report..' so that I can "be content in whatever circumstances I find myself in." My unexpected annoyances then becomes an opportunity to perfect the fruit of the spirit so that I can be "self-control, gentleness, faithfulness, goodness, kindness, patience, peace, joy and love" for the mechanic, unwelcome company and repairman. Perfecting fruit is not always easy, it goes against the grain of my human nature, but it will transform my AARG into thank-you Lord for ripening your fruit within me.