Willow Orchard Friends
Growing in the Fruit of the Spirit
Oliver Squirrel
Fruit of the Spirit: Joy
About Oliver
Oliver Squirrel is cheerful, energetic, and always ready for the next adventure. He loves making plans, gathering his friends together, and finding reasons to celebrate the little things in Willow Orchard.
Oliver is discovering that joy is not the same as everything going exactly the way we hoped. Real joy can stay with us even when plans change, disappointments happen, or the day looks different than we expected.
Growing in Joy
Joy is the second Fruit of the Spirit named in Galatians 5:22–23. It grows when we remember that God is with us in every kind of day—not only the easy or exciting ones.
Sometimes joy looks like laughter and celebration. Other times, joy is quieter: noticing something good, being thankful, encouraging a friend, or choosing a hopeful attitude when things do not go according to plan.
Oliver is learning that circumstances can change, but joy can still grow when we look for the good God has placed around us.
Read Oliver’s Story
Oliver and the Rainy-Day Picnic
A Story About Joy
Oliver has planned the happiest picnic ever. There will be treats, games, stories, friends—and, most importantly, everything will be perfect.
Then the rain begins.
At first, Oliver is certain the ruined weather has ruined the whole day. But with the help of his Willow Orchard friends, he begins to notice that laughter, friendship, and joy do not disappear just because plans change.
In Oliver and the Rainy-Day Picnic, Oliver discovers that true joy can shine even on the rainiest days.
Coming January 2027
Talk & Grow Together
Talk
What is something that makes you feel joyful?
Think
How do you feel when a plan changes or something does not go the way you hoped?
Grow
Look for three good things in your day today.
They can be big or very small.
Pray
Dear God, thank You for being with me in every kind of day. Help me notice the good things around me and let Your joy grow in my heart. Amen.