Nine Patch

Seasoned quilters know the joy of the nine-patch square. A nine-patch is made up of nine equally-sized fabric squares sewn together to look rather like a tic-tac-toe game. They work everywhere in full quilts, to borders, and log cabin blocks. The only limitation is imagination.

The name nine patch remind me of the nine gifts of the Holy Spirit.

But the fruit of the Spirit is:

• Love
• Joy,
• Peace,
• Forbearance,
• Kindness,
• Goodness,
• Faithfulness,
• Gentleness
• Self-control.

Against such things there is no law. (Galatians 5:22, NIV)

Just as in there are no rules to the nine patch, there are no laws against the nine fruit of the spirit. God expects that we will be using them, because we are living by the Spirit.

So I say, walk by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the flesh. For the flesh desires what is contrary to the Spirit and the Spirit what is contrary to the flesh. They are in conflict with each other, so that you are not to do whatever you want. But if you are led by the Spirit, you are not under the law. (Galatians 5:16-18, NIV)

Prayer – Father, thanks for reminding us that when we know you, we are not the same people we used to be because the nine patch quilt of the Holy Spirit is our covering. Thank you, God for that! Amen