stems, pits and pods

Fresh fruit are among the delicious joys of this life. But eating fresh fruits (or veggies) involves dealing with the stems or pits or pods. In the moment of slurping up the fruit, the stems or pits seem an impediment. But they are the connectors, seeds, and protectors of the fruit itself.
The Christian life bears the fruit of the Spirit (love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, generosity, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control). Galatians 5:22. But the Christian life also includes our methods of communication and decision making which allow the fruit to form and ripen. We cannot have one without the other.
I am often frustrated by what I call "church work" ... which involves having care-full conversations (speaking the truth with love) and meetings that allow us to discern and finally make faithful decisions.
Abiding in the vine (part of fruit production) is vital to producing the fruit of the Spirit.  Teresa of Avila once said of prayer: The purpose of prayer is to produce virtue.  Prayer is the ultimate stem that connects us with the source of growth, life and Spirit.