Love Through Listening

“Kayla! Kayla! I need to tell you something!” The five year old exclaimed, her eyes looking urgent. She seemed bursting to tell me her news. Her long, curly black hair swept down her back, her hands motioning in her excitement. The second I asked her what she wanted to tell me, she went into an explanation about the movie Strawberry Shortcake, as if it was the most important thing in the world.

To me, it seemed like a big buildup for something so little. To her, it meant everything. She felt what she had to say was important, and she wanted someone to listen.

Recently, God has been impressing upon me how important it is to show love for people by listening to them. And not just by hearing what the person is saying, but truly listening--caring about what they have to say, praying for them about it, and following up with it, as a way to show them your love and God’s love for them.

That kind of listening can be hard. It takes time and effort. You have to work towards it--it doesn’t usually come naturally. And sometimes, it gets really discouraging. It doesn’t feel worth the effort to listen. But, when you have the ability to show God’s love to someone through listening to them, isn’t it worth it?

Kayla Joy

Identity In Christ

I paused for a minute before putting my temporary drivers license in my purse, staring at it. It seems to have all my information on it--from information to my name and address, to details such as my eye color. It’s an identification card, yet it fails to include the most important identifying information there is about me: that my identity is found in Christ.

Because of what Christ has done, my identity is no longer defined by things this world finds important. My identity is found in Him. When this world tells me that I’m a failure, He gently reminds me that “‘My grace is sufficient for you, for My power is made perfect in weakness.’” (2 Corinthians 12:9). When this world tells me that it’s all about looks, He says, “Your beauty should not come from outward adornment, such as elaborate hairstyles and the wearing of gold jewelry or fine clothes. Rather, it should be that of your inner self, the unfading beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit, which is of great worth in God’s sight.” (1 Peter 3:3-4). When this world tries to identify me by worldly standards, I’m constantly reminded that my identity isn’t found in this world, but in Christ, thanks to what He’s done for me.

Kayla Joy

Willingly Being Shaped

I rolled the play-dough between my hands, twisting and twirling it until it reached a shape I was satisfied with. I wasn't sure what I was going to make yet; I was paying more attention to ooh-ing and ahh-ing over the creations the girl I was babysitting was making. I absentmindedly formed my piece of play-dough together, wrapping it into a circle. "Hey!" the little girl suddenly called out, pointing at my play-dough, "You made a nest!" I glanced down at my play-dough, only to realize she was right. It really did look like a bird's nest! The whole time I'd been forming the play-dough, I didn't have any slight idea of what I was going to make. A bird's nest certainly never popped in my mind!

Thankfully, it's not that way with God. When He created us, He knew what He was doing. We weren't a mistake. We weren't a spur of the moment kind of idea. He didn't need someone else to point out to Him what He had created. He knew what He was doing when He created us. And, amazingly, He didn't only make us, but He keeps working on shaping and forming us into who He wants us to be, if we're willing to be molded by Him.

Isaiah 64:8 says, "Yet you, Lord, are our Father. We are the clay, You are the potter; we are all the work of Your hand." I love how the verse doesn't say, "You were the potter" but that it says, "You are the potter". He didn't just create us and leave us on our own. He's actively shaping us, forming us, and molding us. 

Often, this shaping stretches us. It can make us step out of our comfort zone. It can be painful. But as long He's the potter, He sees the big picture, and He has a plan. Are you willing to let Him shape you daily? 

Kayla Joy 

Leaping For Joy Daily

“Come on Sam Sam,” I said, tugging on my dog’s leash, “She’s not home.” He continued to pull on the leash, trying to direct me up her sidewalk. With dramatic whining, it was obvious what my dog wanted; he wanted to see one of his absolute favorite people in the whole wide world, who just so happens to be an elderly lady that adores him. His love does have some part to do with all the treats she freely gives, and all the kisses she smothers him with. But no matter she does; he loves her. He jumps wildly in the air every time he gets to see her, and he wags his tail practically non-stop for the rest of the day after seeing her. It’s the only thing on his mind when we come near her house on walks, and he never fails to tug toward her steps. He doesn’t care if her door is shut, the lights aren’t on, and the car isn’t in the driveway. He still leaps for joy at even the thought of seeing her, no matter how small the chance.



We have the privilege of being able to spend time with God whenever we want. Day or night, weekend or weekday. He’s the Creator of the world, the King of the universe and yet... are we as excited at spending time with God as my dog is about seeing this lady? I know I fail at this often. Sometimes, I get caught in the trap of thinking it’s a chore to get my daily devotions done. When really, it’s a privilege that we’re even allowed to spend time in His presence, let alone whenever or however often we want! Are we leaping for joy when we spend time with God, or are we dragging our feet the other direction, thinking of what else we should be doing with our time? 



Kayla Joy

Sweet Failure

I walked up to the house, slowing down, doubts filling my mind. I don’t even know his name. He’s probably going to have no clue what I’m doing. He’s not going to want to talk. He waved happily, encouraging me.

Just a month back, I’d never even noticed the man before. Sure, I’d passed the house thousands of times while walking to a guitar or piano lesson, but I’d always been lost in my own thoughts. It wasn’t until a few weeks ago that I noticed him, frail looking, slightly bent over, sitting in a chair on his porch and watching. He was always watching, watching people go past, watching cars zoom by, watching birds flutter from branch to branch. That day was the first day I’d actually noticed him. He grinned from ear to ear as I passed, sat straighter in his chair, and waved. I smiled and waved back, and that was it. I didn’t think I’d see him again, and I didn’t think much of it. But, before long, I noticed him every time I walked past. Whenever I made eye contact with him and smiled, he always looked as if seeing me walk past was the greatest joy he’d had all week long.

It didn’t take long before questions started filling my mind. What was his life like? Was he married? Had he ever picked up a Bible? Was he lonely? After a few weeks of waving at him as I walked past, I felt I needed to do something for him. I baked him sugar cookies the night before my music lesson, and was about to deliver them to him. 



As I walked up his steps, I fumbled for the container of cookies I’d stuck in my purse. Unbuttoning the purse, I introduced myself, pulled the cookies out and mentioned I’d made some cookies for him. He smiled, but said he was diabetic and couldn’t have them. I stood there awkwardly with my cookies, thinking how stupid it must have seemed to him to be offer a diabetic sugar cookies. Unlike I suspected, however, this didn’t stop him from talking. Instead, he seemed delighted to have someone to talk to. He launched into an explanation of his medical problems. He showed off a scar on the top of his head, and he seemed to truly appreciate having someone to listen to him. When I needed to go, I told him I’d bring something he could eat the next time I walked by. He smiled and waved while I walked away, seeming truly happy.

I thought I was going to give him some cookies, but when that turned into a failed attempt, I was able to give him what he really needed: my time. God can use even our failed attempts to show us what's really needed. It doesn't catch Him by surprise, even if it catches us by surprise. He doesn't get stumped by failed attempts, not even failed sugar cookie attempts.

Kayla Joy 



P.S. To those curious, the sugar cookies ended up going to some happily surprised construction workers!

Beautifully Sticking Out

My eyes scanned our backyard, trying to find something interesting to take a picture of. We have clusters of flowers in our front yard, but I wanted something else, something more unusual. My eyes fell to the abandoned place behind our shed. It used to be a garden, but the soil was too rough for flowers to take root, and instead it had been mainly forgotten about, besides for the growing weeds. Yet, in the midst of the weeds, a single black eyed susan flower stood out, standing tall. Faint colors of purple swirled in the middle, and the bright yellow petals spread out in every direction. The instant I saw it, I knew there was something different about it. It stood out from all the rest, and there was no denying it.

We’re living in this world, but we’re told to stand out. You can’t fit in with the world’s pattern and live for Jesus. It’s a choice between the two--the world, or Jesus. If you pick Jesus, you will stand out. 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.” Just like that black eyed susan growing among weeds, is our love for Jesus so noticeable that we stick out? Can others see Jesus’ love for others through our smiles? Are we so filled with Jesus that people can’t help but ask what’s different about us? 


Kayla Joy

Who We Are Serving

<sup>“Here! Dat’s for you!” Strawberry blonde bangs fell in her hair as the three year old handed me a wilted clover flower. Even her eyes were smiling as she waited for me to take the flower. In that short moment, my heart melted instantly. The flower may have been wilted, it may not have been the most sacrificial present in history, but to her, she was offering all she had at the moment.

How many times in life do we only give the minimal required effort? It’s really easy to convince yourself that you can do a decent job instead of a bang up job and no one will even notice the difference. Whether it’s in school, a job, or just life in general, it’s common to not want to give your all.

One of my favorite Bible verses, Colossians 3:23-24, says, “ Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for human masters, since you know that you will receive an inheritance from the Lord as a reward. It is the Lord Christ you are serving.” That Bible verse changes my thought process completely. Instead of convincing myself that a little bit of effort will be enough--that no one will notice a difference anyways--it reminds me Who I’m serving. Instead of being tempted to give as little as possible, it reminds me to give everything I have to serve God, even if it seems as small as what the three year old gave me. When you keep it in perspective and realize that you’re serving the King of kings, the Creator of the universe, the Lord of all, it’s much easier to put forward all of your efforts in whatever you do.

Kayla Joy</sup>