Best Fruit

Today, son #2 celebrates his 16th birthday!!  That's a pretty big milestone for our little guy.  I remember first holding him, having traveled over 8,000 miles to Ethiopia to meet him and his older brother back in March of 2006.  Eshetu was the sweetest boy back then.  And he's still just a sweet now -- just a lot harder to carry.  Eshetu's name means, "Fruitful," or "Best Fruit."  And it's such a fitting name.  His gentleness, soft-heartedness, kindness, and creativity are some of his best features.  Not that he doesn't have his flaws.  We all do.  But it is so important to celebrate the best parts of Eshetu on such a day as this.  The best fruit of Eshetu is such a joy to be around.  I'm so glad we've gotten to celebrate 15 birthday anniversaries with our big, fruitful, son.

Such a day is not only a day to give thanks for the best fruits of my #2 son, it is also an occasion to celebrate the best fruits of ourselves.  Self examination and the pursuit of growth are good.  But it's also important to celebrate the good things, the best fruits, of our selves, too.  One of my best features is that I'm willing to go to uncomfortable places with people, dwelling with them in grief and sorrow and not letting my own anxieties dictate the terms of their emotions.  If I had to pick my best "fruit." that might be it.

What about you?  What is the "best fruit" in your life?  What are your best qualities that others would see as especially sweet?  Give thanks to God for that fruit in your life and that others can enjoy that sweet harvest from your willingness to share that gift.

Let us pray: Heavenly Father, thank you for gifting our family with Eshetu.  Thank you for his fruit of gentleness, kindness, creativity, and compassion.  Bless his life and ours, as we all seek to share the best of ourselves with our neighbors near and far.  In Jesus' name, Amen.