LaSanta Daneen Walker

Love, Goodness, Joy

Galatians 5:22–23 ESV

22 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, 23 gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law.

Love

Love leads the list Paul suggests that determines the quality of your life. This list gives us major categories to follow to lead a good life, and For believers- a life following after the manner of Christ.

Love is interesting, Love is hard to understand. Love can drive people crazy. Why is this? Love is hard to put into words. The prophet Al Green once said: Love will make you do right, Sometimes it will make you do wrong. Love will make you come home early, sometimes stay out all night long.” The Power of love!

If this is the only description you have a love, one can be left uncertain about this concept.

Love is having a deep affection for someone, regardless of whether this affection is returned. Love is seeing the best in others and pushing them to levels they never thought they could go. Love helps you look past offenses.

Is this not what Ms. Walker displayed during her life? They love she had for living, the love she had for people- especially her family. Anyone who came in contact with her got a sense that “this lady loves me”.

The love she had for her kids is something we all should look as a model. The way she provided for them, the drive she had to be the best and rise above what others said could not be done; she gives us a great model of love. The sacrifices she made in order for her children to have the best.

This is the same love God has for all of us, the reason God sent His son Jesus to be the redeemer of the world. . was because of his love for us. Regardless of how bad we were, how bad were are, and how bad we will be; He showed his love for us unconditionally.

The same love Ms. Walker had for the people close to her.

Goodness

Goodness makes the list

Goodness is another attribute that is hard to comprehend. Goodness is Blessing and Prosperity, the life of people who follow after the life of Christ has evidence of Prosperity and Blessing that will follow after them. It will be radiant in all areas of their lives.

It doesn’t suggest wealth, rather a quality of life showing evidence of goodness and prosperity. Goodness is working and toiling now to prepare for the future.

Its giving giving the kid Michael Jordan a ball and seeing The career of the greatest of all time unfold. Its giving Oprah Winfrey and pen, pad and microphone in college and looking ahead to empire she would create.

Goodness allows us to see the gifts people have and helping them achieve greatness.

Ms. Walker did this! She in her soft tone and gentleness would always find a way to encourage her kids and their friends to be great. Whether in school, sports or Fashion!

I remember hearing the story of how Ms. walker changed the life of Ninja and all of her friends after one trip to New York. She would be in NYC during the late 80’s or early 90’s and she came back with something that took JP Freeman by storm and put other schools on notice. Before there was Fenty. . . . there was Lip gloss in the black container with 3 Letters. . . M.A.C!

The Mac lip gloss changed the lives of so many girls in memphis. But she knew Ninja enjoyed fashion and beauty products that she invested in her at an early age. She saw something and begin investing in the future.

If we want honor her life we have to live a life of goodness. Finding ways to bless others, finding ways to see the gifts in individuals and helping them reach their full potential.

Ms. Walker lived with evidence of goodness and mercy following after her.

lastly

Joy

joy makes the list

Joy is complicated. Joy is similar to gladness and happiness but it’s different. You can Be Glad. . . You can be Happy. Glad when things go well. Happy when things work out. People can do things to make you glad and happy.

Joy is a state of being, it’s not merely an emotion. Joy is choice you have to make. You choose to have Joy. Joy is usually displayed with pain or suffering in the backdrop.

Joy is the swagger you have to have to get you through hardships and disappointments. We see it throughout the scriptures: Count it all joy when you go through various trials.

we have all had to do this thing called Joy.

college- joy in being a broke student

business owner- joy in risk and uncertainty

relationships- joy of what could be but you just don’t know

Ms. Walker had joy even in sickness. She displayed the fruit of the Spirit until the end.

we to can have joy in the midst of chaos and disruption. Why because the Scripture say the joy that set before Christ. He humbled himself, died on the cross, and rose again with all power.

All of the pain in this world is nothing to be compared to the Joy we will experience if we remain faithful to God.

pray