Faith

I have a plethera of words and thoughts floating around in my brain. Some of them connect, others are simply random.
Faith has been on my mind a lot lately. I struggle with fear--irrational fear that really makes no sense at all in the scheme of the life I am living. But I struggle with it nonetheless. It's like the enemy has found that that is my weak spot. It is easy for me to be afraid, and it is made easier because I don't see myself the way God does. Many of my fears are brought on by my low opinion of myself, quite sadly.
I am just being honest with you. If it makes you uncomfortable go read someone else's blog. ;)
But as my fears and the voice of the persistent enemy twist my thoughts into a mass of confusion, there is the still, small voice of my Savior. He gently reminds me that He is there and He is in control. And suddenly things are simple: Trust Him. There is nothing with which He is unfamiliar--no needs, no fears, no hopes, no disappointments.
We must acknowledge that we do not fight against flesh and blood, but against the spiritual powers of darkness and then fall into the arms of our Hero. He is the one Who has already saved the day. And like Paul said, whatever it is that afflicts us is NOTHING compared to the glory that we will one day have in Christ. God knows that we are weak. Even the most faith we can manage is often smaller than Jesus' humble example of a mustard seed. But He is not limited by the size of our faith. He has given us victory over all things through His Son Jesus.
Lord, I believe. Forgive my unbelief.

Defense

I can't imagine what life would be like without God as our defender. The enemy tells so many lies and steals, kills and destroys like crazy! What would it be like if God didn't have His hand of protection over us? I shudder to think.
There is nothing that we struggle with that God hasn't already filtered through His capable hands. It's so easy to doubt Him, but that's just another ploy of the enemy. God is bigger. He knows what we can handle and what we can't.
If you're struggling with something, don't turn away from God in shame or doubt. That is a huge mistake. Turn toward Him and let Him take it in His capable hands. He knows we are just human. Praise God for the day that we will no longer have the enemy to battle against!
Be comforted in the fact that He loves you unconditionally and boundlessly. Amen.

So about the title...

I'm thinking maybe it's a little bit awkward. "To Be Content" isn't exactly the most catchy title I've ever heard. However, it does reflect where my heart is at this point in my life. Above all things, I just want to be content. I want to enjoy God's goodness and all of the blessings He has given without striving to have things that He hasn't seen fit to give me at this point.
There is so much I would love to do in my lifetime--travel, write, missions work, lead worship, communicate effectively, finish college(!), raise amazing kids, be a great wife to my amazing husband, record music--the list could go on and on. And while those are all good things, I am finding that the most important thing is to learn that wherever I am I need to be fully there. Everything in my life right now deserves my full, undivided attention. Eventually, some of those things will happen because I have been faithful in the small tasks. Meanwhile, I will be content. When I strive to bring them to fruition NOW, I only succeed in making myself, and the people around me, miserable. There is nothing that steals joy so well as wanting what you do not have.

So, that's what I'm thinking. We need to bold enough to shape the monotony around us with our lives. We need to be filled with the Holy Spirit--His love, His joy, His peace--and relax so He can spill over to every part of our lives. We need Him, and if we were honest with ourselves He is ALL we need.

Love!
Kaela

My very first blog!

Good morning!

At this moment, I am sitting in the middle of my little apartment's living room floor. There is clean laundry on the couches and lots that needs tidying up. But it will all have to wait until later because I volunteered for three hours of overtime at work today. I know--what was I thinking, right? :) No cartoons or sleeping-in for me this morning. It's off to work I go.

But before I go, I wanted to let you all know what I'm thinking. My hope for this blog is that it will be a testimony to God's goodness and His grace in our daily lives. The enemy is after us--our joy, hope, peace, etc--anything he can steal, kill or destroy. But greater is HE who lives in us than he who lives in the world, amen? There is nothing too hard for our God. And He has set this great adventure known as "life" before us with a purpose and a plan in mind. Everyday we live takes us one step closer to seeing Him face to face. Glory.

So, join me with your thoughts and the things God is showing you and we can do some of this great adventure together.

Ciao!
Kaela

"For I know the plans I have for you, declares the LORD, plans for wholeness and not for evil, to give you a future and a hope."
Jeremiah 29:11