Goodness: 2025 Fruit of the Spirit Series

September is so special to Lillie’s Foundation as it is Grandfamilies and Kinship Families Awareness Month. It takes a special heart and lots of grace to be a grandparent or caretaker raising school aged children. This edition focuses on the next fruit of the Spirit, goodness.

I’ll be good . . . because goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life.

So many of our grandparents and caretakers live by this scripture that speaks to power in goodness and being good.

In our society, we need more people who simply want to be good to themselves, to others and the environment.

REFLECTION: I’ll Be Good!

A lot of people believe that if you go to church, this automatically qualifies you to be good. The issue is that goodness is an act of being morally good to all. This means you don’t get to pick and choose who you are good too.

Being virtuous (good) isn’t strictly for women. We all have a moral obligation to be good. As a child, my grandfather Poppy would always ask me, “will a good man make it into Heaven?” It’s not easy being good in a society that constantly tests your patience, faith, joy and Love for others.

So what does being good mean in today’s society?

To start, we need for people to respect free will and people’s ability to choose what’s best for them, their families, schools and communities. Our differences make us unique and should be respected. However, showing someone respect is difficult when you don’t view someone or a group of people as good.

Generalizations and stereotypes are tools of the adversary used to make us treat good people bad. In fact, we see daily how the poor, those living in poverty, the homeless, mentally challenged, veterans and disabled are treated.

Being good to all means looking past the imperfections, removing bias and letting Love lead you.

I’ll be good and consistently choose goodness for all of my days.

RECALL: Be Good to All

• Be good to yourself!
• Treat others the way you want to be treated.
• Goodness isn’t for the weak.
• Power, when used for good, is one of the highest acts of Love.

RESPONSE: Share your thoughts

Leave a comment to share how this edition of the On the Porch blog has impacted you. Stay tuned for more reflections of this seriesblog has impacted you. Stay tuned for more reflections of this series.