Worth Every Stumble

The month of January is, to me, the gloomiest month of the year. Thanksgiving is over, Christmas is a long way off, and any sort of holiday seems too far off to even think about. The days seem to drag on and bitter coldness freezes any hope of flowers peaking through. Sickness reigns in households and seems as if it will never leave.

During this month, I often have to remind myself of the race we’re in. This race isn’t a race to finish first, or second, or even third--our race is to finish and finish strong. Hebrews 12:1 sums up how we’re supposed to run this race, “Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles, and let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us.” As the passage says, we need to ‘throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles‘ and run with perseverance and endurance. This isn’t a sprint, this is a marathon.

During a marathon, it gets discouraging. The mile markers progress steadily, but the miles seem to repeat themselves. Tired feet trip over themselves and every muscle aches. You know you’re farther along with each step, yet you still feel so far away from the goal, from the prize at the end. The prize at the end slowly fades from the mind until you can’t seem to remember why you’re still in the marathon at all. Why are we still running with perseverance the race marked out for us? To see Jesus face to face. In the end, that will be worth every stumble, every wrong turn,  and every single second of discouragement along the way. One day, we’ll see our Savior face, to face.

Kayla Joy

Amazing Love How Can It Be....

I can never resist little kids! I smile uncontrollably when one begs to braid my hair, I am frequently found making absolutely ridiculous faces to make babies laugh, and my heart melts when kids scream my name from another room and run into my arms. I’ve been called a ‘kid magnet’ before and I love every moment of being with a joyful child of God’s. No, they’re not perfect. Some throw temper tantrums, some refuse to eat their dinner yet beg for candy, and some have major potty accidents, looking at me to clean them up. All the same, I can’t help but love them. 



God is the same way with us. He loves when we want to spend time with Him. He loves when we call on His name. He loves being in our presence. When we come to Him crawling on our hands and feet, completely messed up, He’s there for us. Even when we throw adult temper tantrums and blame Him for everything, He’s there for us. Romans 8:37-39 says, “No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through Him who loved us. For I am sure that neither death nor life, nor angels nor rulers, nor things present nor things to come, nor powers, nor height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord.” We mess up daily. Our God loves us regardless. How can we help but want to obey a God so amazing as ours?

Kayla Joy

Same Challenges, Different Attitudes

I was at my grandparents house the other weekend and a football game was on. Both my dad and daddygrand were intensely watching it, and the rest of us sat around with stomach’s growling waiting for our carryout food to be ready. Before long, my eyes wandered to the television and I focused on how the camera blurred some things and put others in focus. I tried to imagine what it would look like if everything was shown with the same focus, and I came to the conclusion that it would look rather boring and dull. My daddygrand noticed me watching the TV and said, “I didn’t know you liked football, Kayla!” I had to admit that I don’t care for football one bit. I wasn’t focused on that. While he was watching the players fight for the ball in a game filled with rules I’m clueless on, I was watching the mechanics of how they gave different perspectives with techniques such as blurring. We were looking at the exact same thing yet we were focused on completely different things. 



Christians and non-Christians go through the same trials. Though there are some different trials each will face, they will all go through some of the same challenges in life--trying to get a job, get a degree, decide what they want to do with their lives, etc. Yet, as Christians, we’re able to go through our lives with a widely different perspective. We know that there’s more to this world. While non-Christians are focusing on cramming everything into this life they can and making the most of it, we can look beyond this short life and realize that there’s so much more in store for us. Romans 15:13 says, “May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, so that by the power of the Holy Spirit, you may abound in hope.” We can go through the same challenges as non-Christians with a completely different attitude--one of hope, joy, and peace. 


Kayla Joy

Living in Expectation

Sadly, I'm not always like my dog.

Now before you go all crazy on me wondering why I'm disappointed to not be like my dog, let me explain.

Any scrape of a chair, any unusual squeaking sound, any gasp, any knocking, practically any breathing sound can, without a moment's notice, send my dog into a frenzied bark. Sounds of nails scraping against the slippery wooden floors will commence, along with a dog who seems to have gone insane. Running to our door, he will bark ferociously at our mail slot, sure that the mailman must have arrived. 49 out of 50 times it will be a false call, and he will settle down for a little bit, awaiting the next unknown sound that could possibly be this mysterious intruder.

My dog knows that the mailman is coming and he's waiting. He will be ready when the mailman comes--there's no chance my dog is going to miss him.

Now, let me back up to my first sentence. Sadly, I'm not always like my dog. I know for a fact that Jesus Christ is coming back. But I'm not always acting like I know that. I'm not always living how I should for someone who knows that Jesus could come back at any second. 1 Thessalonians 5:1-2 says, "Now, brothers and sisters, about times and dates we do not need to write to you, for you know very well that the day of the Lord will come like a thief in the night."

 We're living in the knowledge that Jesus could come back any second, but are we living like we truly believe it? 

Kayla Joy

Teetering Through the Day?

I teetered back and forth, sure I was going to fall off. For the first time in horseback riding lessons, we had tried to ride without stirrups at a trot. If you've never ridden horses before, then you don't know how hard this is. If you've never ridden a horse at a trot without stirrups with a tilted saddle before, then you have no idea how nearly impossible this is!

My wonderful horse, Captain, is sweet and stubborn. He won't let anyone tighten his girth. And without tightening his girth enough, the saddle will be tilted. After a worker painstakingly managed to tighten his girth, she didn't tighten it enough.

Here I was, on a tilted, sliding saddle, going at a trot (with my horse begging to burst into a canter), without stirrups, and turning a corner. Everyone watching was sure I was going to fall off and, honestly, I have no clue how I was able to hold on long enough to slow him down.

Like me teetered back and forth on a saddle, it is possible to not read your Bible as you go through the day. Lots of people do. But I have honestly found that it makes the whole rest of my day go smoother if I take time to read my Bible in the mornings. Often time the passages I read that morning stick with me throughout the day, encouraging me. 2 Timothy 3:16 says, "All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness." If Scripture is God-breathed, then it must be important to read.

Without reading my Bible daily, I find myself teetering through the day, worn out and down right grumpy. It's amazing the difference when I actually take the time to be in God's Word.

Kayla Joy

Lukewarm Love or Fire Love?

I forced a shoe on my foot, hopped over to the stairs, sat down, and put the other shoe on. The whole time I was hopping to the staircase I couldn't help but think, "That was pretty pointless. I should have just sat down first and then put the shoes on." What good was it to hop around with one shoe on? If I just sat down first, then put them on, I'd be fine. Or even if I put both of the shoes on at once and didn't bother to sit down, that would work as well. Instead, I chose to awkwardly hop to the stairs. I couldn't make up my mind--I was in the middle.

Sometimes, we're like that for Jesus. We certainly don't want to be on an extreme side of loving Jesus. I mean, loving Jesus, obeying everything He says, that sounds a little restricting, doesn't it? So what if we just remain in the middle? We can say we follow Jesus, and obey His command when it matches up with what we want to do anyways. That will work, right? Revelation 3:15-16 says, "I know your deeds, that you are neither cold nor hot. I wish you were either one or the other! So, because you are lukewarm—neither hot nor cold—I am about to spit you out of my mouth." But, (there's always an but, isn't there?) the world isn't on fire for Jesus. If we were on fire for Jesus, we wouldn't fit in with the world. Better just to blend in, right?

No, we won't blend in with the world when we're on fire for Jesus. We'll stick out. When you're on fire for Jesus, people can't help but notice. Which are you going to do? Blend in with the world, or be on fire for Jesus, even when it means sticking out and standing up for Him?

Kayla Joy

I Remember

Below is something short I wrote for my parents. You aren't meant to understand everything in there (there's a few inside jokes you won't understand), but I thought I'd post it anyways. Something else I remember? My parents always check my blog. Therefore, I'm posting this on my blog and leaving them to discover it that way :)








                                                       Mom, I remember.

I remember crying in the middle of the night for you, instantly flooded with relief when I could hear the creaking of you going up the stairs.
I remember when I hid behind you, feigning shyness from people interacting with me. 

I remember when you gently bathed me, careful not to get any water in my eyes.
I remember when you put off the ever growing stack of dishes and laundry to cuddle with me.
I remember when you would let me come to the grocery store with you, even though you knew it would only take longer (especially with me putting kings on their thrones!).
I remember when you would push me on the swings.
I remember when you would come home early from work if I was sick.
I remember you coming straight home from work to teach me how to ride a bike.
I remember when you picked me up from every swim practice.

I remember when you cheered me on at every piano recital.
I remember you encouraging me to read my Bible.
I remember you leaving for work trips and always bringing us a special treat.



I remember. When my life leads me off on different adventures and you stay home, wondering if I’m even thinking about you, I will always remember to come home.



                                                    Dad, I remember


I remember you comforting me when I thought the world was going to be flooded by our overflowing toilet.
I remember you entertaining me when I wanted to school like my big sisters.
I remember you scooping me up on your shoulder when my little legs tired out on walks.
I remember my adrenaline pumping after leaping from couch to couch, avoiding you in a game of ‘Monster’.
I remember you wiping my tears away when I was upset about something.
I remember you cooking dinner for us every night.
I remember you taking me to the park to play.
I remember you kissing my ‘owie’ every time I stubbed my toe.
I remember you making lunch for me and letting us watch an episode of Gilligan’s Island while we ate.
I remember you patiently correcting me every time I missed a subtraction problem.
I remember you always being willing to drop your busy life to help me out with school.
I remember you going on a full fledged shopping trip to pick up ginger ale, 7-up, popsicles, and chicken noodle soup when I was sick.


I remember. When my life leads me off on different adventures and you stay home, wondering if I’m even thinking about you, I will always remember to come home.

Kayla Joy

Rejoice? Your choice!

 As most of you probably know by now, my middle name is Joy. All of my siblings have the middle name of Joy. My mom has the middle name of Joy. My Grandma's name is Joyce. You could say we have a lot of joy running through our household.

It's not always easy to rejoice constantly. Sometimes, it's a struggle. When money is sparse, when food is low, when evil seems to be winning over this world...it seems hopeless. Lost. Pointless. And that's when you have to decide if you're going to focus on everything God has given you and rejoice in that, or ignore God's blessings and, instead, focus on whining. Philippians 4:4 says, "Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice!" Are you going to make the choice to rejoice? 

Kayla Joy

God's Little Ones

Her little hand reached out through a gate to me. Her other hand struggled with the latch on the gate as she earnestly tried to open it. Her brow furrowed in worry. There was one thing on her mind--one thing she wanted more than anything at that moment. Me.

In the spring and at the beginning of the summer, I would often go outside and play with this little girl. After being gone for a significant part of the summer, however, and not seeing her for about 3 months, she hadn't forgotten about me, like I had suspected. More than ever she wanted to play with me like we used to.

At the same time, I had to pack. I was leaving the next day to go on a week vacation, and I had plenty to do to get ready. For a split second, I was torn. I loved playing with this little girl but, I was only intending to go outside for a few minutes, and I knew it would turn into hours if I played with her. Yet I agreed to, giving her parents a chance to relax while I watched her for a bit.


Sometimes simply spending time with these little one's of God can make their day. You don't need to know what makes them laugh, you don't need to know their dislikes, you don't even need to know their interests. All you have to do is be willing to spend enough time with them to find out their likes, dislikes, and what makes them laugh. Matthew 19:14 says, "Jesus said, "Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of heaven belongs to such as these." All throughout the Bible, you can see the love God has for His little ones. What's so special about His little ones? If you take the time to find out, you discover that they can bless you more than you could ever possibly bless them with your time.

Kayla Joy

Silent Encouragement

"Then Jesus went with his disciples to a place called Gethsemane, and he said to them, “Sit here while I go over there and pray.” He took Peter and the two sons of Zebedee along with him, and he began to be sorrowful and troubled. Then he said to them, “My soul is overwhelmed with sorrow to the point of death. Stay here and keep watch with me.”
Going a little farther, he fell with his face to the ground and prayed, “My Father, if it is possible, may this cup be taken from me. Yet not as I will, but as you will.”
Then he returned to his disciples and found them sleeping. “Couldn’t you men keep watch with me for one hour?” he asked Peter. “Watch and pray so that you will not fall into temptation. The spirit is willing, but the flesh is weak.” 
 He went away a second time and prayed, “My Father, if it is not possible for this cup to be taken away unless I drink it, may your will be done.”
When he came back, he again found them sleeping, because their eyes were heavy. So he left them and went away once more and prayed the third time, saying the same thing.
Then he returned to the disciples and said to them, “Are you still sleeping and resting? Look, the hour has come, and the Son of Man is delivered into the hands of sinners." Matthew 26:36-45

Here Jesus was, clearly troubled, hurting, and so overcome with sorrow. Jesus knows what's coming. He takes some of His friends with Him while He goes to pray. Yet three times, His friends fail Him. Three times they fall asleep while Jesus is on His knees praying, His heart filled with anguish.

I don't know about you, but I don't want to be like Jesus' friends here. I want to be the one friend who would have stood by Jesus, not being able to fully comprehend the struggles He was about to face, yet still encouraging Him. And I don't always know how to encourage people like that. Sometimes I feel like I fail miserably when attempting that. When my friends are struggling, I listen to them, I pray with them, and I constantly pray for them, but often times, I don't have the right words of advice to offer them. Often times all I can do is be there for them, cry with them, and let them know that they're not alone. Recently, I've been realizing that you don't always have to have the right words to say to encourage them--sometimes it's more meaningful if you're right there alongside them, crying with them, praying with them, and showing them how much you care. After all--actions speak louder than words. 

Kayla Joy 

Leaving Worry, Taking Peace

"You're doing such a good job!" I exclaimed to my 6 year old cousin. We were creek walking and I been holding her hand, stopping her from slipping into the glistening creek. Just a few minutes prior, however, she let go of my hand--wanting to prove that she could do it on her own. "Be careful!" I called out, worried she was going to slip on a rock. She immediately asked, "Why?" I could have told her that she might twist--or even break--her ankle, that she might slip and land on her arm, that she might slip and land on her head, I could have gone on and on with the dangers of it, but, thinking fast, I simply replied, "Because I love you! I don't want you to get hurt." I thought this was subtle enough, I was sure she was thinking 'get hurt' meant along the lines of getting an owie. Instead, she surprised me, "But Kayla, if I die, I'll go to Heaven! I'll see Jesus!" Her childlike faith caught me by surprise, during which, as if to assure me, she quickly added, "But I'll be careful! I know you'd miss me if I went to Jesus."

I notice childlike faith in children when I least expect it. When all I'm able to do is worry, they decide to trust. They open my eyes and gently remind me, "It's okay. You don't need to worry. God is in control." Philippians 4: 6-7 says, "Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus." This Bible verse doesn't promise that God will grant every request you bring to Him. But it does promise that He will be there, that He will listen, and that He will give you peace. The next time you find yourself worrying--have childlike faith. Pray about your worries, your struggles, your concerns, then have peace and faith. Peace that God is in control, faith that God knows what's best. 


Kayla Joy

Praising through Everything

I stared out the car window, inhaling the scent of fresh air, feeling the cool breeze against my face. We came to a stoplight and I glanced down at the ground. Something on the cement caught my eye--hundreds of ants. The ants were running into each other, bumping into things, and frantically scrambling to find shelter before the rain started to come down even faster. I imagined them being calm just five minutes before the rain.

Sometimes, we’re like the little ants. When everything is going good in our life, we’re happy. The sun is shining down on us, and we’re completely oblivious to Who made the sun shine in the first place. But when the rain starts pouring and destroying our happy front, we’re desperate. We’re scrambling. We’re on our knees in prayer. 1 Thessalonians 5:18 says, “Give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.” What happened to praying when things are going well? What happened to praising God through the good and bad times?

Kayla Joy 

On the Job Prayer

I once had a little girl I was babysitting ask, "How do you become a good babysitter? How do you be nice when they're being mean to you?" I tried to explain that it's sort of a 'learn on the job' type thing. Sure, there are things you can do to become a safer babysitter--such as learn how to do CPR. But how are you patient when the person you're babysitting is, as she put it, is 'being mean to you'? For me, it's prayer. Seeing as how, without God, I couldn't even take a breath, then He can definitely grant me grace and patience where I need it. Whenever I feel my patience tempted during babysitting, I turn to prayer. There's always time for a quick prayer for patience or grace on how to handle something. 1 Thessalonians 5:17 says, "Pray continually." I definitely have a long way to go before I'm praying continually, but even praying during things like babysitting can make such a difference in how you handle things. 


Kayla Joy

Five Lifetimes Fly

When I was little, I remember being in tears when I first realized that my sister would have to go away to college. For some reason, it suddenly clicked, and I realized we wouldn't be young forever. We wouldn't always be with each other. My sister tried reassuring me, saying, "Kayla, that's five years from now!" And, surprisingly, it worked. "One year is a lifetime away, five years will be five lifetimes away!" I reasoned in my childish mind. But as it turns out--life passes a lot faster than you might think.

Honestly, it's scary how fast time passes. I remember when my biggest concern in life was whether I would be able to play outside that day or not. I even remember being proud of myself for remembering what the word 'fishy' meant. And, now, suddenly, I'm going to be an adult in three years. As things change constantly, it's hard to find comfort.

Matthew 28:20b says, "And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.” When time is rapidly flying past and things are changing, remember that, no matter what, God will be with you always, to the end of the age, to any age.


Kayla Joy

Blessings in Exchange

I've been trying to do random acts of kindness lately. I want to bless others with my random acts of kindness, but so far it hasn't just been blessing others.

Today, our neighbor was trying to mow with her two year old on her hip. Her husband wasn't home from work yet, and since she had no one else to watch her daughter, she had to mow with her. Obviously, this wasn't easy looking. I volunteered to watch her daughter in their fenced in backyard while she mowed the front yard. I had limited time to clean my room before some guests came, but I knew it was much more important for me to bless someone else than to have a perfectly clean room. The little girl instantly latched onto me, and I spent the next hour playing peek-a-boo, teaching how to blow dandelions, smelling flowers, and dancing with a two year old. Throughout the hour, I smiled more than I had all day and truly delighted in being in the presence of a little one of God's. I started off trying to bless someone, but God had a different plan. Instead, He decided to make me the person who was the most blessed. Random acts of kindness can definitely bless people, but I’ve found that it also blesses the person who does it.

Kayla Joy

Heart Shaped Reminders

I sat outside, watching the insects flutter by and the flowers bloom around me. While I watched a bird repeatedly pick up a worm and drop it, I felt discouraged, but I wasn't even sure why. And that's when I saw it. A beautiful, white flower with tiny, delicate individual flowers forming a shape around it. A shape of a heart.

Things are constantly changing in this world, but God's love never will. And He has amazing ways of reminding us of His love once we've forgotten how amazing it is. Don't take His love for granted!

Kayla Joy

Boldness

I scribbled three words down on a piece of paper, "Encouraging, boldness, and prayer". I decided that I really needed to work on all three, and I promised God I'd try to do better with them. Little did I know, God had decided to let me work on one faster than I was expecting!

Fast forward a week: I'm asked to present at a Christian club at my school. I'm in an online school, so I wouldn't actually see the other students--I'd simply talk on the mic and read out loud my presentation. The group wasn't that large, around 20 people, but I was terrified!

I can't be bold by myself--I wouldn't have it in me. Without God, I definitely wouldn't have been bold enough to present. Thankfully, I wasn't without God. 2 Timothy 1:7 says, "For God has not given us a spirit of fear and timidity, but of power, love, and self-discipline." When you realize that you can't do something on your own, remember that you're not on your own.


Kayla Joy

More Than You can Handle?

"God doesn't give you more than you can handle."

Where in the Bible does it say that? We've all heard that phrase before, but it's actually not Biblical based. Because let's admit it--we've all been at a place where we've told God, "I just can't handle this anymore."

Sometimes God gives us more than we can handle on purpose. Why? So that we realize we can't handle it, and realize that we need some One greater to, because we surely don't have it in us. Instead, the saying should be switched to, "God doesn't give you more than He can handle."

Kayla Joy

P.S. Sorry for the few blog posts! I've still been trying to figure out the new format!

Impatiently Being Shaped

"Oh come on! I already let it rise for an hour, surely it doesn't need another hour of rising..." I reasoned to myself, while watching the bread dough rise for the second time. That's when I decided it--letting bread rise was overrated. I wasn't patient enough. I threw the pan of bread in the oven, set the timer, and made it just in time to hop on an online class connect. Thirty-five minutes later, I pulled my bread out of the oven. My flat bread. My incredibly flat bread. Maybe it is important to let bread rise after all...

As you can see, I'm not a very patient person! Whether I'm waiting for bread to rise, or wanting God to hurry up with His plan for my life--I'm not patient. Even so, patience is important. While we're impatiently waiting to be used, He's still shaping us. He does have a plan. His plan just involves different timing than us. Which is okay, considering that His timing is perfect! Be patient with God's perfect timing--He's still shaping and lovingly molding you into the person He wants you to be, and He's using you while He shapes you.

Kayla Joy

Motherly Examples

 The devotional story on Mother's Day for the May Newsletter at my church!

“Don’t pick that up--you don’t know where it’s been!” Sayings such as this are common for a mother to say, and sometimes quite annoying for a child. But, without it, how bizarre our world would be! Without mothers, we’d live in a world where: monkeys jump on the beds and break their heads, we forget to wash our hands after using the restrooms because our mothers didn’t remind us, and our eyes, without our mother’s gentle warning, would be constantly frozen from us crossing them so much.

Without our mothers, how would we ourselves know how to be mothers? Proverbs 31:10-31 says, “A wife of noble character who can find? She is worth far more than rubies. Her husband has full confidence in her and lacks nothing of value. She brings him good, not harm, all the days of her life. She selects wool and flax and works with eager hands. She is like the merchant ships, bringing her food from afar. She gets up while it is still night; she provides food for her family and portions for her female servants. She considers a field and buys it; out of her earnings she plants a vineyard. She sets about her work vigorously; her arms are strong for her tasks. She sees that her trading is profitable, and her lamp does not go out at night. In her hand she holds the distaff and grasps the spindle with her fingers. She opens her arms to the poor and extends her hands to the needy. When it snows, she has no fear for her household; for all of them are clothed in scarlet. She makes coverings for her bed; she is clothed in fine linen and purple. Her husband is respected at the city gate, where he takes his seat among the elders of the land. She makes linen garments and sells them, and supplies the merchants with sashes. She is clothed with strength and dignity; she can laugh at the days to come. She speaks with wisdom, and faithful instruction is on her tongue. She watches over the affairs of her household and does not eat the bread of idleness. Her children arise and call her blessed; her husband also, and he praises her: “Many women do noble things, but you surpass them all.” Charm is deceptive, and beauty is fleeting; but a woman who fears the LORD is to be praised. Honor her for all that her hands have done, and let her works bring her praise at the city gate.” Granted, that’s quite a few verses, but each one of them contains such a strong image of a good wife and mother.

Mothers set examples for us to follow once we become mothers. I know my mother has certainly set a beautiful example of being a mother to me--what kind of example of a mother will you set for your child?

Kayla Joy

Thankful In Everything

I sat down and watched the water gently lap against the dock. It was a beautiful week in Michigan, where I went for my spring break, and I was sitting by a lake, having devotions. The dock swayed ever so slightly with the current, and I brushed hair out of my face as looked around the beautiful lake and thanked God for creating it.

It's a lot easier to feel thankful for something when you're looking at something beautiful. If you're sitting at a dock by the lake, as I was, it's so easy to look around you and feel genuinely thankful to God for creating such a beautiful sight. On the contrary, if you're taking doing the weekly garbage can pull around to the curb, it's not so easy to look around you and be thankful to God for creating the world. 1 Thessalonians 5:18 says, "Give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus." Whether you feel genuinely thankful or not, God deserves the praise. Don't give Him thanks only when you feel like it, give Him thanks always, in all circumstances.

Kayla Joy

Are You a Servant?

"Paul, a servant of Christ Jesus, called to be an apostle and set apart for the gospel of God..." ~Romans 1:1
"For even the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give His life as a ransom for many." ~ Mark 10:45

Paul often starts his letters to the church's with saying, "Paul, a servant of Christ Jesus". This man, Paul, we think of as an amazing witness to Jesus. Someone who spread the word to thousands. But, do we really think of him as a servant? Yet, to his own admission, he's a servant of Jesus. Even Mark 10:45 says that Jesus came to serve and give His life for many.

Yet...it doesn't sound fun to be a servant, does it? We would much rather own servants than be a servant. If Paul called himself a servant, and if Jesus himself didn't come to be served, but rather to serve, then we're called to serve as well. It doesn't necessarily mean to dress in rags and scrub floors for rich people. To be a servant of Jesus means to follow Him, spread His news, and look for ways to help others. Are you a servant of Christ Jesus?

Kayla Joy

Humbling Love

We love to have people do things for us. Whether it's something small, or something big, we'd rather have someone else do it for us. After all, we deserve to be served, right? If that was true, then why would Jesus wash feet? Jesus, the person who truly deserves to be served, serving others?

For sake of room, I'm not going to put the whole passage here. So look up John 13:1-17 to see all of it, but basically Jesus washes the disciples feet. Here Jesus is, about to die for their sins after living a perfect, sinless life, and He's washing dirty feet. If I were as perfect as Jesus, I sure wouldn't want to stoop to that level, I would demand them to wash my feet instead (thankfully for others, I'm not perfect like Jesus, so you don't have to wash my feet). John 13:14-17 says, "Now that I, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you also should wash one another’s feet. I have set you an example that you should do as I have done for you. Very truly I tell you, no servant is greater than his master, nor is a messenger greater than the one who sent him. Now that you know these things, you will be blessed if you do them." Here, Jesus is pretty clear. "You also should wash one another's feet." Cleaning somebody else's foot was about the humblest thing you could do! Not only were you wiping dust and dirt off a foot, but you were wiping dust and dirt off a foot to see who knows how many blisters, warts, and calluses hidden underneath. Not exactly a pretty sight. Yet, it isn't just about washing someone's feet. It's about humbling ourselves to one another, and humbling ourselves to glorify God. Sometimes, even the smallest, grossest things can glorify God, if only we're willing to humble ourselves in order to be able to do it. If Jesus can be humbled, can't we? 

Kayla Joy

Follower of the World, or Follower of Christ?

I squeezed my horse, urging her to walk on faster. She couldn't be called lazy, as the horse I rode for the other horseback riding sessions was--she was used to competitions and had a lot of energy still left in her. But she was leading, and she hates leading. She always slows her walk down to almost a complete stop whenever she's leading, so that other horses will pass her and she won't have be first. She is perfectly content when she's in third place in line, thus her name, Third. (Even so, I don't think Third is a very good horse name, but I didn't get a say in it!) She was the type that preferred to go with the flow. She was fine with doing whatever they were doing, but only if they did it first.

Aren't we like that a lot? It's so much easier to go along with something, even if it's something sinful, if others are doing it with us. It somehow seems to justify it. Even when, deep down, we know it doesn't justify it. Romans 12:2 says, "Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God's will is--His good, pleasing and perfect will." I've always loved this verse, it's such a great reminder that we're not supposed to conform to what the rest of the world is doing. Even if the rest of the world turns away from Jesus and you're the only one left standing for Jesus, will you continue to stand up for Him?

Kayla

P.S. A song I've always loved, which I think really relates to this, is "I'll Join the Rocks" by FFH. Here's a link to that song: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BxBq1XGhGBY

Centipede Terror is a Terrible Distraction

Thousands of legs flailed about, as his long body stretched for miles across. He grinned evilly at me, seeming to wave one of his many legs at me as if in a tease. While I was still in shock at seeing him, he lunged forward and, using thousands of his legs, scrambled as fast as he could. Okay, maybe that's not all true, but when I saw that bug out of the corner of my eye, that's what I felt like he was doing. I hate centipedes. I can take worms, ants, even some spiders, but centipedes?! All their arms make them look so evil! Not only was he crawling on my wall, but he was also about to crawl on my bed, the bed I was reading on. Not going to work little guy. I picked up a tissue and tried to squish him, but failed. After very cautiously making sure he wasn't in the tissue and about to creep on my hand, I pulled my bed out against the wall and searched for him. I saw something that resembled his body, but it wasn't moving at all. "The 'Play Dead' isn't going to work this time, Mister," I thought to myself. I blew on him and he scrambled father into the corner.

That's when it hit me. What was I doing?! Seconds before I saw the bug, I had been having devotions. I had been reading about how, throughout the generations, people had been forgetting about God, getting distracted by something else. Wasn't that what I was doing right now--getting distracted and turning my focus on something unimportant? Why did I let a tiny little bug distract me from something much more important?

In life, it's so easy to turn our attention on something not as important. Whether that thing is something teeny weeny such as a centipede, or something that seems pretty important to us, we need to put God first in our lives. Let's be a generation that places God above all else.

Kayla Joy

P.S. For the record, I was able to kill him seconds after writing this blog post. I now feel safe to sleep after my devotions :)

Hope in Darkness

When Jesus rose from the dead, He gave us hope. When all seemed lost and pointless, He proved that He wasn’t finished with His plan yet. 1 Corinthians 15:17-19 says, “And if Christ has not been raised, your faith is futile; you are still in your sins. Then those also who have fallen asleep in Christ are lost. If only for this life we have hope in Christ, we are of all people most to be pitied.” If Jesus hadn’t risen from the dead, as the Bible verses above say, it would be hopeless. And to His disciples, it must have looked pretty hopeless after Jesus’ death. I’m sure they must have started thinking there was no hope left for them.Thankfully, Jesus didn’t end the story there. He rose from the grave three days later, giving us much needed hope. The same thing holds true for us--even when it seems like we have a long way to go before ever having a chance of hope again, He gently reminds us that He’s not finished with us. He’s still got a plan for us. His plan may be very different than ours but thankfully, He’s not finished with us yet. He can give hope in what seems like the darkest situations.

Kayla Joy

I glanced at the sidewalk, surveying it for any sharp stones. I always love to walk barefoot, but that means I have to be especially careful not to step on any sharp object. So it happened that I was glancing down at the cement during this walk, when a certain leaf caught my eye. It seemed that the wind had blown away the normal leaf parts of the flower, leaving only the delicate veins left on the flower. It wasn't something any human could have pulled apart successfully. Each vein seemed to have a slightly different design, some straight, some twisted, while others seemed to hook on to others veins.

God created everything. Every beautiful vein on a flower, every branch on trees, even the hairs on your head. Nehemiah 9:5b-6 says, "Blessed be Your glorious name, and may it be exalted above all blessing and praise. You alone are the Lord. You made the heavens, even the highest heavens, and all their starry host, the earth and all that is on it, the seas and all that is in them. You give life to everything, and the multitudes of heaven worship you." How often do we acknowledge and thank Him for these beautiful gifts all around us? It's easy to take it for granted, but it shouldn't be taken for granted. As the verse above says, He made the heavens, the stars, and earth, absolutely everything. Shouldn't we give Him praise for it?

Kayla Joy

Why Smile So Much?

"Why do you smile so much?" is a question I get asked pretty much daily. If you know me, you know I smile constantly. I've earned the nickname 'Smiley' at my church, a nickname I'm rather pleased with. Why do I smile so much? Because I have life easy? Definitely not. Though you might think I must lead a pretty easy life so far if I'm always smiling--think again. I've been through challenges in life just like everybody else. I've had enough injuries to last me a long time! (Not to mention my two hip surgeries and three concussions!) My secret ingredient to smiling? To sum it up in two words--God's love. Whenever I'm struggling with something, I think of God's amazing love for me. And a thought like that can't help but make me smile. Romans 37-39 says, "No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through Him who loved us. For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord." God's love isn't anything we earn or deserve. If He's willing to give us that kind of undeserving love, I figure I can work on strengthening my smile muscles.
Kayla Joy

Unstable World, Stable God

I looked about, watching the trees gently sway in the breeze. It was a beautiful day for hiking, and we were at one of my favorite hiking places--Shawnee Lookout. A creaking sound caught my attention, and I noticed that one of the trees was creaking and swaying more than the others. The wind was strong, I guessed the tree must have been unstable. I instantly thought of how unstable everything in our world is--always changing, never constant.

In our ever changing, unstable, often pretty scary world, it's hard to find comfort in a lot of things. Just as you're getting used to something, it changes. And I don't know about you, but I don't like change at all. The encouraging thing is that there are two things that never change--God, and His Word. Isaiah 40:8 reads, "The grass withers and the flowers fall, but the word of our God stands forever." The God you read about in the Bible is the same God as today. He hasn't ever changed, and He won't ever change. There's nothing you can fully rely on but God. Things around you will change, people will go in and out of your life, you'll endure different challenges, but God will never change. He will always be there for you, waiting for you to turn to Him.

Kayla Joy

Leaping Trust

Something in my heart melts when a little child squeals when they see me and comes running to jump straight into my arms. It doesn't matter if I'm carrying what feels like a 50 pound bag on my shoulder, or if hear my name shouted out and barely turn around in time to catch them--the child knows I'll catch them. They don't take a hesitant jump, they trust I'll catch them even when they're leaping through the air.

I don't know about you, but for me, when it comes to trusting God, I'd much rather take a hesitant few steps every so often. You know, stay in my comfort zone. But if a little child came walking up to me hesitantly every few minutes, my heart definitely wouldn't melt as much as it does when a little child leaps into my arms. I want them to know that they can trust me to catch them. Don't you think God wants the same for us? He wants us to trust Him fully. Not just with part of our hearts, but with all of our hearts. He wants us to trust Him so much that we know He'll protect us and take care of us. Even if we feel like we're falling, we're never alone. God is always right there with us, ready to catch us. Hebrews 13:5 says, "Never will I leave you; never will I forsake you." Get out of your comfort zone and trust in God to help you every step of the way.

Kayla Joy

Closed Hearts

We have a door that half obeys. Sometimes it will open just fine for us, but other times, you'll be stuck inside the room, tugging and pulling with all your might to get the door open. It easily opens on the outside, just not when you're inside the room. It doesn't seem to matter if you pull with all your strength, or with a little bit of your strength, the result is the same--you trapped in the room until you either have the patience to keep trying to open the door, or someone pities you and opens the door for you.

Sometimes, we're stubborn and would prefer to give God only some of our hearts. "Here, He can take this half, this half looks better than the other half", we think. But on the part of our heart that we ourselves are scared to look at, we'd prefer to use a stuck door instead. One that won't open easily. God sees all of us, He knows the worst things we've ever done--we can't hide it from Him. Get rid of your stuck doors, open your heart and give it all to God--He's the One who created your heart in the first place.

Kayla Joy

Perfectly Perfect

More than anything, I love to sit out on our steps outside. Something about watching the beautiful world God's created and thanking Him for it is so relaxing. I'm probably the only one in my family whose noticed this, but on our back steps, there's a shape where the cement is a different, lighter shade. A shape of a heart. It's not a perfect shape of a heart--the corners aren't perfectly round, it's a rather plump heart, and to some it may seem more like a blob of cement than a heart. But to me, even with all of its deformities, it's a perfect heart, because it reminds me of the perfect love Jesus has for us. 

Though the cement heart has corners that aren't perfectly round, it reminds me of Jesus, taking our punishment for us. He was beaten, whipped, nailed, and scorn upon. Much like the cement heart, I'm sure His body wasn't a perfect sight after that. Though the cement heart is a bigger heart than your average perfect heart, it reminds me that Jesus' love for us is huge. Though the cement heart has been through sleet, snow, winds, and hail, it still remains. Even with all Jesus has been through for us, He still loves us. What more perfect love is there than that?

1 Corinthians 13:4-7 says, "Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It does not dishonor others, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres." My cement heart isn't perfect, but it reminds me of a kind of love that is. Whose love do you put your trust in?

Kayla Joy

Memorizing One Verse At a Time

"I have hidden Your word in my heart that I might not sin against You." ~Psalms 119:11

I have some friends who are amazing at hiding God's word in their hearts. They have countless chapters of the Bible memorizing, word perfect. I don't know how they can memorize it so quickly, and keep it memorized, but somehow they're able to. They even compete in Bible quizzing competitions. I've been trying to memorize God's word recently, but I've only gotten 14 verses in about two weeks, nothing compared to the chapters they would have memorized in two weeks! But to me, that's okay. I may not be an amazing memorizer like them, but that doesn't give me an excuse for not memorizing God's word. It may take much longer for me to memorize than it takes them, but regardless, I need to hide God's word in my heart. Even with the few verses I've been memorizing, they've been popping in my mind at just the moments when I need them. It hasn't been the difficult, time consuming thing I thought it would be at first--it turned into a blessing. Don't we all need to hide God's word in our heart? What's stopping you from memorizing God's word?

Kayla Joy

Be Still...

"He says, “Be still, and know that I am God; I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth.” ~Psalms 46:10. 

Be still...How hard it is to be still in our busy, go-go lives? We feel the need to be constantly moving, being efficient, getting something done, just doing something! Yet through it all, we're missing something. Somewhere in our busy schedules we're missing the fact that the King of the universe, the Creator of every thing--living and non-living--is telling us to be still in Him, to spend time with Him, and acknowledge Him as God. Shouldn't this make us drop everything and spend time with Him? M.E. Andross once said, “Time spent alone with God is not wasted. It changes us; it changes our surroundings; and every Christian who would live the life that counts, and who would have power for service must take time to pray.”  

Too often we pretend like spending time with God is wasted, pretending that we have something better to do. The truth is, spending time with God prepares us for the rest of the day. Are you preparing yourself for the rest of the day by being still in front of God, or are you rushing straight into it, missing the blessings that come with being still in front of the Lord? 

Kayla Joy

Leah

I wrote this short story a few weeks ago, simply trying to extend my writing style. I haven't revised it, but I thought I'd post it on here anyways.



 Leah smacked bright lipstick on her lips and walked over to the kitchen. Opening the fridge door, she scanned the few remaining items in it, hoping to scrape up enough food for a small sandwich. She took out a jar of cherry jam and spread it on bread. She opened the container of peanut butter, but it took a couple tries to open, she figured the peanut butter must have been just as tired as she felt. She slipped her finished product--a peanut butter and jelly sandwich--into a paper bag and headed for the door. As she reached for the door, she started wondering how her life had gone this way. Leah remembered when she was a little child and attending church. God had felt so real to her there--what happened to Him? Or, maybe a better question was--what happened to her?

    She started her car engine and pulled out of her driveway. It wasn’t far to her work, and, even though she didn’t enjoy her job, it paid. She needed that pay desperately. After a few minutes she pulled into a parking spot, got out of her car, and started walking towards a massive building. A casino.

    Her coworkers greeted her as she approached, though they, too, looked worn at the thought of another day of work. Working at the casino took a lot out of a person. Most were grateful for a job in the tough economical times they were going through, but even so there were those who were lazy at their job, sitting around all day long. Leah certainly wasn’t one of those.

    She grabbed a silver tray of refreshments and mingled through the crowd, peeling a fake smile on her red lips as she chatted with customers. Yet throughout the day, her mind wandered a different direction from usual. She earnestly tried to think of something else, anything else, but no matter what she did, she couldn’t help thinking of her Bible. She knew it lay in a drawer on her dresser, collecting dust after years of abandonment. How long had it been since she had last flipped open the worn pages of the book? Her Bible was the very same one she had as a child, when her faith was strong and seemingly unbreakable. Her life had been good back then. She attended church regularly, read her Bible on her own, with vivid interest in it, and she had a loving family. Some of her friends had parents who had divorced, but not her parents. Her parents had always loved each other, and, most importantly, each had a deep love for God. Her life had been good, until one ugly, deadly word shook her world forever. Cancer.

    “Hey, did you hear me?” Leah jerked back into the present, remembering that she was supposed to be serving customers refreshments. “Sorry,” Leah spoke up, “Can you please repeat that?” A customer standing in front of her sighed loudly and spoke up again. “I asked if you had any more of the jelly crescents.” Leah glanced down at her silver platter of refreshments, silently reminding herself that the platter was almost empty and she needed to go in the back and get some more. “Sure thing, I’ll be right back,” Leah promised her customer.

    She walked slowly into the back room, carefully picking up an assortment of refreshments with prongs. After delivering the crescent, she talked with the customers, keeping them happy, finally able to erase the thoughts of the past from her mind.

   





 Leah stood in front of a small mirror, unwinding from a long day of work at the casino. She took her ponytail out of her long blonde hair and and combed her hair. Leah flipped her shoes off her feet and, not bothering to untie them, tossed them in a small corner of the apartment. She sat on the side of her twin sized bed, staring into space. Her eyes wandered automatically to a picture on her desk. In it, Leah stood, grinning, arms around her mother. A green field surrounded them, filled with red and yellow flowers. She was 11 years old in the picture, but she could still clearly remember when the picture was taken. It was a year and 8 days later that she found out the news that changed her life forever.

    She had just come back from soccer practice and came into the living room, sweating yet delighted to tell her mother that she had scored two goals in the game. Her mother was sitting on the couch, obviously waiting for Leah to get home from soccer. Before Leah could tell her mother about her soccer goals, she noticed tear stains on her mother’s face. Her mother silently motioned for her to sit on the couch, attempting a feeble smile. Her mother told her she had lung cancer and the doctor said she had eight months to live. She only survived for four months.

    Leah sighed, wondering how it was possible that her life had been a wreck from that day on to now, 16 years ago. Leah was sure that she’d have her life together by the time she was 20, but now that she was 28, she knew her life would never be the same again.

    Her black and white cat, Lucy, jumped on her lap, kneading and purring. She smiled--Lucy could always cheer her up on a rainy day. Leah’s eyes fell on her desk, knowing what the drawer held. She slowly shuffled off the bed and over by the drawer and, ever so slowly, opened it. Inside was her navy blue Bible. Some pages were torn, the cover was nearly falling off, the pages ruffled, yet the top was covered in dust. Picking it up, she blew gently on it, getting rid of some of the dust that had collected over the years. “It’s such a big book...I wonder where I should start, or even if I should start at all...” Leah pondered, staring at the book. Her slim finger smoothly ran across the worn outline of the book, stopping suddenly at the feeling of silk. She glanced where her fingers had touched and realized there was a bookmark slipped inside one of the pages. She figured this was the best place to start as any--it must have been one of her favorite Bible verses as a child. Too bad she couldn’t remember any of the many she’d memorized back when she was young--when she still believed.

    She carefully flipped the Bible open to the bookmarked page, and her eyes jumped to the verses highlighted with a faded yellow color. Romans 8:37-39. She read, “No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through Him who loved us. For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord.”

    She drew and exhaled a long breath as she finished reading the verse. She quickly reread the last bit, in case she’d read it wrong the first time, “nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord.” Scoffing, she set the book down, almost regretting she’d read it in the first place at all. She thought back to the days before her mother’s death...she had prayed every night since she’d heard the news for God to spare her mother’s life. She knew He was capable of it. But He didn’t. “I guess He didn’t care enough to, doesn’t care about me anymore. Maybe He once did but...definitely not anymore.” She had always convinced herself. So why trust in God again? He had let her down once already. What was the point in it? It only made her life worse--it had bought her here, hadn’t it? In a lonely secluded part of Colorado.

    So why had her mother trusted in God, even to her dying breath? Her mother had always taught her that God was the One who gave life--she’d even sang in church lyrics that said, “You give and take away, oh You give and take away, Lord blessed be Your name,” but could she really bless His name when He took something like that away? Wasn’t that too much? She sat on her bed once more, uncomfortably struggling with the idea that maybe she was the one who had made her life how it was by not trusting in God. She tossed the thought around in her head for hours, finally coming to the conclusion that she could at least give God a chance. Leah was done with trying to do things her own way--it failed too many times in the past to count.

    She got down on her knees and prayed to God, asking for His forgiveness. She knew she strayed far from Him. She knew she blamed Him. But she also knew that she was going to change that. She faintly remembered a verse in the Bible saying that God would forgive sins. She was in an ocean of her own sins, drowning, needing an anchor to hang tightly on to.

    After her prayer, she picked up her Bible once more, this time with a different attitude. Instead of scoffing, she smiled, realizing the pages inside it might contain something she’d been missing for most of her life. After she read for an hour, she got up refreshed, finding more meaning to her life than ever before. She still missed her mother, she doubted the pain from losing her mother would ever fully fade. But this time she didn’t feel so lonely when she felt the pang of missing her mother, because she knew God was there for her. She was at peace with herself, and she was at peace with God.

What Are You Called?

I was in a homeless shelter--having just served food--and went into a game room to mingle with the people there. I approached someone who had been sitting in a corner alone. He had a wheelchair and several extensive knee braces. I knew if anybody could sympathize with him and understand...I could. I started the conversation by asking which food he liked the best at the dinner, and we ended the conversation as if we'd known each other for years. Before long, I had to leave. It was then I realized I didn't know his name and that was starting to bug me. Right before leaving, I asked his name. He replied, "They call me Josh." (Real name changed for privacy).

Normally, we would just say our names. Yet in their culture, they have nicknames everybody called them. I learned that often their nicknames differ greatly from their actual name--sometimes a completely unrelated name. If you look in the Bible, you realize how important names are. Jesus has so many names; Savior, Lamb, Shepherd...throughout the Bible there are a hundred examples of different names. Names not only tell you apart from other people, they also identify who you are. The question is, what name are you known by? Will people call you a servant of Christ after you die?

Kayla Joy

Fly On Wings like a Mosquito

“If you think you’re too small to have an impact try going to bed with a mosquito in the room.” – Anita Roddick.

I don't know about you, but during the hot summer months, it's easy to let a fly or mosquito in the house. And once you do--it takes forever to chase them around the house and get them out. One time I sat in my oldest sister's room, watching her try to get a fly out of her room before she went to bed. Before long, I was literally doubled over laughing, watching her swat at the fly in her room with a fly swatter. The fly zipped from spot to spot, barely stopping to rest. My sister valiantly continued swatting at him, seeming to barely miss him every time. If anybody had seen her through the window, they would have thought she'd gone insane, twirling from one direction to another, battling thin-air. After a short break--in which both me and my sister were doubled over laughing--we had recovered and she was ready for another battle with him. This time, she won. Rather disappointed that this amusing entertainment was over, we both resigned to go to sleep in our fly-less rooms.

You might not think one little person can make a difference in the world--what can one person do? Compared to the rest of the world, with all the other people in it, they have little power. Though one person may not seem to be able to have a huge difference, they can set an example for others to follow. 1 Timothy 4:12 says, "Don’t let anyone look down on you because you are young, but set an example for the believers in speech, in conduct, in love, in faith and in purity."

Even if you're young, you can still set an example for others in speech, conduct, love, faith, and purity. You wouldn't have thought a little fly would have bothered someone, but it did. You wouldn't think an example from one person can have an impact, but it can. Are you willing to impact someone?

Kayla Joy

Shining Jesus Everyday

I gazed out the car window at the colorful city lights. They sat on the hillside, some shining more bright than the others. And throughout it all, I couldn't help but think--which light are we?

Are we shining bright for Jesus? Matthew 5:14-16 says, "You are the light of the world. A town built on a hill cannot be hidden. Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl. Instead they put it on its stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven." Don't be afraid to live for Jesus--even if others around you aren't. Just because they aren't shining bright for Jesus doesn't mean you shouldn't. 


Kayla Joy

Timely Blessings and Love

I sat cross legged on the floor of our church's nursery, playing peek-a-boo with a baby. She giggled constantly, absolutely adoring my attention. After she got bored with peek-a-boo, I took her on my lap, reading a child's book to her. I spent the next hour making her laugh, smile, giggle, and stare in astonishment at new toys. When her mother got back, she surprised me by being truly thankful for me babysitting her child. She told me how thankful she was that she was able to take a break and learn about God's word. I didn't think I had done that much, I just offered my time, lap, and love, yet throughout it I was able to bless some one else.

Sometimes, we can bless people by doing a simple thing such as offering our time. We can get fooled into thinking that people want more than that, but often all it takes is a little time and a lot of love to bless someone. 1 John 3:18 says, "Dear children, let us not love with words or speech but with actions and in truth." God blessed us with time, can't you bless someone else with your time?

Kayla Joy

Joy Through Hardships

 Some people are under the false impression that your life will be easy if you accept Jesus into your heart. They claim everything will simply fall into place once you do. The truth is; however, that our lives as Christians won't be easy. It's not like you can live a carefree life if you accept Jesus into your heart. John 15:18-19 says, “If the world hates you, keep in mind that it hated Me first. If you belonged to the world, it would love you as its own. As it is, you do not belong to the world, but I have chosen you out of the world. That is why the world hates you."

If you truly live for Jesus, trying earnestly to seek and obey Him, the world will hate you. Yet even throughout this, those who have Jesus in their heart can have joy throughout hardships and trials. Why? John 16:33 sums this up, "I have told you these things, so that in Me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world."

Kayla Joy

Gripping Control

I sat on the horse, mentally forcing myself not to grip the saddle for support. When I first got on the horse, I thought it'd be impossible to let go of that saddle and not fall off. But as I gradually got used to it, and even learned how to make my horse go faster (though I'm still working on getting him to stop--I had a stubborn horse who refused to stop and would try to break out into a trot if I tried), I soon forgot about needing to hold on to something. I learned to keep my balance better, knowing that ultimately, I was going to need to learn how to ride without gripping on the saddle if I wanted to become good at it.


In our lives, it can be hard to let go and recognize that God is in control. It's in our human nature to want to be in control. But no matter how much we want to be in control--does that really change who is in control? Whether we would like to control or not, God is still in control. Isaiah 55:8 says, ""For My thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways My ways," declares the Lord." If you don't understand why something is happening in your life, that's okay, you don't have to. Just trust that God has a plan, He is in control. His ways aren't our ways, but that's okay, because His ways are higher than ours. We can't even begin to understand His ways. Let Him take control of your life.

Kayla Joy

Love Without Strings

(I was recently asked to submit my devotional stories to our church's monthly newsletter. This is one I'm considering using for February's newsletter on Valentine's Day.)

                                Love Without Strings

Kids pout if they don’t get a valentine card back from someone. Wives get frustrated if their husbands forget to do something special on Valentines Day. People are willing to give love, but only if there’s something in it for them. The difference between our love and God's love? God loves us without expecting anything back in return. He loves us undeservingly. Any love we show to others is but a poor mirror reflection of the incredible love God pours out freely on us.

Though God knows every sin we’ve ever committed and ever will commit, He still sent His only Son down to die for us. 1 John 4:19 says, “We love because He first loved us.” Jesus showed a true example of loving people while on earth. He loved lepers, sinners, tax collectors, poor and rich alike--He didn't decide to only love those who would love Him back. Even while hanging on the cross dying for our sins, He was loving us, taking our punishment for us. This Valentine's Day, how about showing love to someone whose not able to love you back? Maybe they’re physically disabled, maybe they’re too grumpy to love themselves, or maybe they’re not someone you would typically show love to. If we’re trying to be Christlike, why not love the unloveable without expecting something back in return? God certainly set the bar high by loving you and me.

Kayla Joy

Holding Tight Always

When I was little, I had a favorite stuffed dog named Gabby. I slept with this brown dog every night until she lost all of her fluff, lost her soft fur, and had an arm imprint from where I always wrapped my arm around her waist. I got a dog leash and took her to the park, zoo, anywhere I was, she was there with me. If I was going to bed and couldn't find her, there was no way I was going to sleep without her. I'd run all around the house trying to find her, in tears if I couldn't find her in the first five minutes. Most times she was either hidden under my blankets, sitting on the dining table chair (didn't I tell you I took her everywhere with me? Yep, I even took her to meals with me!), or on the couch. My parents were probably getting pretty frustrated with me insisting on sleeping with her, as it often resulted in a ten minute search for her, prolonging my bed time schedule. When I found her, I squeezed her tightly, sure I'd never lose her again, not even for a second.

We prefer to cling to God during hard times in life. Then, once things are going well, we decide we don't need Him for the time being and try to ignore Him. The truth? We need God always. We always need to be searching and seeking for God, wanting to grow in our relationship with God--through bad times and good times. God is so much bigger than any stuffed animal. Why can't we cling as close to Him as I clinged to Gabby?

Kayla Joy

Banging Ducks

When I was little, my sisters and I had our favorites 'must-see' spots at our local zoo. One of the spots we all loved going to was the bird house. We would speed walk past until we came to one of our favorite exhibits--a huge glass container of water, ducks, and duck poop. There was a corner in the glass exhibit that had a gush of water constantly pouring out of it. The stream of water was small, but the water rushed out at a fast speed, making a current in that corner. We spent hours sitting at that corner, laughing and pointing as the ducks crowded around that stream and tried to swim against it. The current pushed them against the wall, banging their heads, and they picked up their strength again and tried to fight the current once more. Every time we went to that exhibit it was the same--ducks fighting the strong current, only to get pushed back and bumped into the glass wall. We loved watching the dumb ducks banging their heads against the glass after failing their mission of fighting the current.

When we genuinely ask for forgiveness, God forgives us. Psalms 103:10-12 says, "He does not treat us as our sins deserve or repay us according to our iniquities. For as high as the heavens are above the earth, so great is His love for those who fear Him; as far as the east is from the west, so far has He removed our transgressions from us." Thankfully for us, He doesn't treat us as our sins deserve. Jesus paid the price for our sins. The bigger question is--do we forgive ourselves? After we mess up, it's easier to ask God for forgiveness, but it can be more difficult to forgive ourselves for what we did. There's no point in banging our heads against the glass. If God forgives us of our sins, shouldn't we forgive ourselves of it?

Kayla Joy

Following Humble Steps

Remember when we were young how important it was to be first in everything? First to the door, first to get a drink, first to get anything--it was all very important in at least my toddler mind. If I wasn't first, then I was at least going to be the first to throw a temper tantrum.

In Mark 9, we find a similar thing....except with adults. Mark 9:33-35 says, "They came to Capernaum. When He was in the house, He asked them, “What were you arguing about on the road?” But they kept quiet because on the way they had argued about who was the greatest. Sitting down, Jesus called the Twelve and said, “Anyone who wants to be first must be the very last, and the servant of all.”"

To some degree, the disciples were embarrassed that they were fighting about such a childish thing. They didn't respond when Jesus asked them why they were fighting. Yet Jesus--knowing all of our thoughts before we think them--knew what they were fighting about and responded saying that the last shall be first. All of a sudden, the disciples were left speechless. The last shall be first? The servant of all? Isn't that a lot of work? 

Sadly, that's how a lot of us think. When we're doing some stinky job like changing the cat litter, we're not exactly singing praises to God for giving us cats. But why not? Why not humble ourselves? If we want to be first, then we need to humble ourselves and do the kind of jobs that servants would do. Jesus certainly gave perfect examples of that while He was here on earth. Can't we follow in His steps? 

Kayla Joy 

Pre-paired to Love

When my oldest sister, Alisa, was young, she used to convince my other sister, Abby, that unmatched socks were poor orphans without mothers. As a game to get Abby to fold socks, she told her she must find a match for the poor orphans--after all, what fate is bestowed upon an abandoned old sock but a life exiled away forever in a shiny trashcan? Abby vigilantly looked for matching socks, getting very upset whenever an orphan was found.

In life, we get paired with people we don't always enjoy the company of. Sometimes, in fact, we'd rather spend our day doing anything but being with that person. Maybe the person is pushy, maybe the person is rude and just plain mean, or maybe we really don't get along with the person, no matter how hard we try. The solution to getting along with the person? Love them anyways. They're not perfect, they are far from perfect. But keep in mind that you're far from perfect as well. If you're having trouble getting along with them, chances are they're having trouble getting along with you as well. If you're praying for their heart to soften, pray also that your heart would soften and God would show you what you need to change.

Mark 12:30-31 says, "Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength.’ The second is this: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’There is no commandment greater than these.”". If we're supposed to love our neighbor as ourselves, why aren't we doing it? God has paired you with that person for a reason, try to encourage them instead of silently noticing each flaw. 


Kayla Joy

An End to The Cycle

I linked arms with my sisters and glided gracefully across the ice on the iceskating rink. Okay, so it wasn't gracefully, it was more like getting pulled to the ground every few minutes by either my own clumsiness or by my sisters, but I'd like to think it was graceful looking. Throughout each fall--whether it was a slow skid to my knees or a flat out fall on my face--I got back up on my feet, continuing to iceskate, not giving up simply because I'd fallen once. I knew that the ultimate prize--the pleasure of a day iceskating--greatly outnumbered any small bruise I was going to get.

In our walk as Christians, isn't it easy to want to stay on the ground once we fall? If we're sinning, sometimes we'd prefer to continue sinning. Or maybe we've sinned and are having trouble getting back on our feet again, having trouble seeing the purpose in trying when we know we're only going to fall once again. The solution to this never ending cycle? Get back up. Yes, you will fall again, you will sin. But because of Jesus' selfless act on the cross, the price has been paid for your sins. God's grace has you covered. On earth, it can be difficult to see the purpose of life. All we see is a never ending cycle of falling and getting back up only to fall once more. But we can trust that the ultimate prize--eternity in Heaven with Jesus--outweighs any kind of difficulty here on earth.

Kayla Joy