Fruits of the Spirit

There are moments in our family life when I pause and marvel at how God continues to work in the little and ordinary things. Parenting, especially in a cross-cultural home here in Cambodia, has taught us lessons far beyond what any book could offer. It’s not always easy, but every challenge we face points us back to God’s faithfulness.

One of those areas where God has been showing His amazing grace lately is through our son, David. 

“But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control.”

— Galatians 5:22–23 (NIV)

When Struggles Become Seeds of Growth

David has been struggling with his Khmer lessons this year. As parents, this was one of our main concerns for quite some time. His school (Asian Hope International School) is accredited by the Ministry of Education here in Cambodia, which means he has to meet the same requirements as every local student, including passing the Khmer exam to be promoted to high school.

I remember the months leading up to that exam. David was anxious, and honestly, so were we. He would tell me how scared he was to fail. We prayed hard as a family, reminding him that God’s strength is made perfect even in our weaknesses.

Then one day, the results came David passed his Khmer exam!

It may sound simple, but for us, it was a huge testimony of God’s grace and power. We’ve seen God’s hand in every detail of this journey. There were days when we thought it would be impossible, but God kept reminding us that nothing is too difficult for Him. 

David with the Men at the Dorm - listening to Dad's Khmer sermon

Why Language Became a Journey of Faith

When David was younger, the specialist from the Philippines advised us to focus on one language first because of his autism. Dr. Dimalinta said it would help our son communicate and understand more effectively. So, we decided to concentrate on English as his first and main language. It was a decision made in prayer and with careful thought.

👉 Read our Autism Journey here

That choice helped David a lot, but as he grew older, we realized how important it is for him to also learn Khmer not just to pass exams, but to connect with his community, culture, and converse with Vandy's relatives in Kampong Cham.

The transition wasn’t easy. There were tears, frustrations, and days when he would rather give up. But slowly, we began to see progress.

God knew exactly what we needed at the right time. When my sister-in-law, Kunthy, and her teenage son, Pich, moved in with us, David’s Khmer began improving tremendously. He started reading and writing Khmer words, even though he still struggles with comprehension at times. His accent still sounds foreign, but he’s getting there.

And we couldn’t be prouder. 

David with his cousin Pich

Sometimes, I watch him trying to read Khmer stories, sounding out each word carefully, and my heart just swells with gratitude. What used to be our greatest fear has become a testimony of how God can turn our weakness into strength.

Finding Joy in Every Effort

We’ve always reminded David that he doesn’t need to be perfect. We tell him, “As long as you’ve done your best, that’s enough.” Whether his grades are high or low, it doesn’t change how much we love him.

It’s not the score that matters most it’s the effort, the heart, and the faith behind it.

And this truth mirrors how God sees us as His children. He doesn’t demand perfection from us; He desires obedience and faithfulness. He sees our effort when we choose patience instead of anger, kindness instead of bitterness, peace instead of worry.

Parenting a child with autism teaches us this kind of unconditional love daily. It humbles us. It reminds us that love is not based on achievements but on grace.

When Life Feels Uncertain, God Remains Steady

I often think of Galatians 5:22–23 when I reflect on our family’s journey how the fruit of the Spirit becomes the foundation of how we live and raise our son.

Our days are far from perfect. There are mornings when we’re late, days when fatigue hits me hard due to my iron deficiency, and nights when doubts creep in. But God reminds me that His Spirit continues to work in us even through our imperfections.

It’s amazing how the fruits of the Spirit love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control are not just beautiful words in the Bible, but daily choices that shape our family.

We try to live by them, especially when things get hard.

Love: The First Fruit That Holds Us Together

Love is what binds everything we do. It’s not always emotional or grand sometimes, love looks like patience during David’s meltdowns or compassion when he gets frustrated over a simple task.

Love means speaking calmly when our human instinct wants to shout. It means forgiving quickly and understanding deeply.

When love becomes our first response, we begin to see our family relationships flourish. God’s love has been the anchor that holds us through the storms reminding us that even when we don’t understand, His love never fails.

Joy: Choosing Gratitude in Small Victories

Joy in parenting is not about everything going our way. It’s about finding gratitude in small victories like seeing David smile after finishing his Khmer homework or hearing him pray for his brownie business. 👈

Joy is waking up each morning knowing that even though the journey is long, God is walking with us. It’s choosing to laugh together as a family even when things get messy.

I’ve learned that joy isn’t the absence of hardship; it’s the presence of God in every situation.

Peace: Trusting God Beyond What We See

There are many times I’ve struggled to understand why things take longer for David compared to other children. But God continues to teach me that peace comes when I surrender my worries to Him.

Peace is not about having everything under control. It’s about resting in the assurance that God’s plan is always better.

When I see David trying again after a failed attempt, I am reminded that peace is not found in perfection but in trust.

Patience: Growing Through the Waiting

Parenting a child with special needs stretches patience in every way. There are days when progress feels invisible. But each day we wait, God is working silently behind the scenes.

Patience helps us see that growth takes time. Just as fruit doesn’t ripen overnight, our children’s development takes seasons. And in each season, God provides what is needed.

We often tell David, “It’s okay to take your time.” Because we’ve seen how God’s timing is always perfect.

Kindness and Goodness: Living Out Compassion

Our home is where kindness and goodness are practiced daily. From encouraging words to gentle correction, these fruits shape how we treat each other.

We remind David that kindness matters not just to friends but even to those who might not understand him.

Goodness is not about being flawless but about having a heart that seeks to do what is right, even when no one sees it.

These traits reflect God’s character, and as parents, it’s our privilege to model them for our children.

Faithfulness: Standing Firm in God’s Promises

When challenges arise, faithfulness keeps us going. God has been faithful in every step of David’s growth from his first words to his progress in school.

Even when doubts come, we hold on to the truth that God never breaks His promises. He who began a good work in David will carry it on to completion.

And that gives us courage to face tomorrow.

Gentleness: Strength Under Control

Gentleness is not weakness; it’s strength guided by grace. It’s learning to respond calmly when emotions run high.

It’s easy to lose temper, especially when overwhelmed. But God’s Spirit teaches us to handle situations with tenderness to speak words that heal rather than hurt.

Gentleness creates peace in our home. It allows David to feel safe, loved, and understood.

Self-Control: Learning to Surrender Daily

As parents, we also struggle with self-control whether in managing our temper, our words, or our reactions.

But through the Spirit, we learn that true control is not about holding on tighter; it’s about surrendering to God.

When we let the Holy Spirit take the lead, our actions and emotions begin to reflect God’s nature.

Reflecting on the Fruit We Bear

There’s a beautiful devotional thought that reminds me of this truth:

Imagine holding two seeds in your hand. One grows easily but produces ugly, bitter fruit. The other takes time, effort, and care but it produces beautiful, sweet fruit.

Which one would you choose to plant?

Paul in Galatians 5 describes this so clearly. The “fruit of the flesh” hate, impatience, bitterness, selfishness are easy to grow because they come naturally to our sinful nature. But the “fruit of the Spirit” takes surrender and daily cultivation.

Parenting gives us a daily opportunity to choose which seed we will plant.

Do we choose frustration or patience? Criticism or kindness? Worry or peace?

It’s not always easy, but every choice shapes the kind of fruit our children see in us.

Reconnecting with God’s Grace in Every Season

Looking back, I see how God has been faithful, not only in David’s learning journey but in shaping our hearts as parents.

Our family values revolve around the fruit of the Spirit. We fail often, yes, but we also rise again each day renewed by His grace.

Every morning is a new opportunity to start fresh, to love more, to listen better, to forgive quickly, and to reflect Christ in our home.

We may not understand everything now, but there’s always joy in knowing that God is not done with us yet.

Our home becomes a small garden where God grows His fruit not through perfection, but through grace, patience, and daily surrender.

A Message for Parents in the Journey

To every parent reading this, especially those walking through the challenges of autism or special needs you are not alone. God sees your heart. He knows every tear, every prayer, every sleepless night.

There will be days when you feel weary and unseen, but remember that God’s Spirit is working quietly through you.

Your love, patience, and faithfulness are the fruits that speak louder than words.

Let’s continue to plant good seeds in our children’s hearts, trusting that in God’s perfect time, they will bear beautiful fruit for His glory.

A Prayer for Parents

Heavenly Father,
Thank You for entrusting us with the gift of our children. Teach us to nurture them with love and grace. Help us to grow in the fruit of Your Spirit that our homes may overflow with joy, peace, kindness, and patience.
When we are weary, strengthen us. When we are uncertain, remind us that You are in control.
Bless every parent walking this journey, especially those raising children with special needs. May Your Spirit guide us daily to reflect Your heart in all we do.
In Jesus’ name, Amen.

Closing Thoughts

Our story with David is still unfolding, and every day is a new page written by God’s loving hand.

We are grateful for His grace that turns struggles into testimonies and challenges into opportunities to grow closer to Him.

May our family and yours continue to bear fruit that glorifies God, one day at a time.

Because at the end of every season, the most beautiful garden is the one planted and nurtured by His Spirit.

Blessings!
Tess 💕🙏