Every journey of life comes wrapped in its own covering designed to create in us the version of ourselves able to achieve the great mission we have been sent on. Every moment of our journey leads us closer to the Lord and our purpose. Every trial and every joy create. Our journey of life is one that is constantly creating, as our Lord is the Master Creator, we follow in his dynamic plan. He surrounds us with all that we need to walk into the ongoing unknown territory of our future.

My oldest niece, Kayla, was one that I have given the most grief to in my life. When she joined our family, I was merely seven years old and had been the youngest child the entire time. I was the baby of the family and enjoyed every perk that gave. With older parents, and an older sister who treated me like her own baby, I was more than spoiled. And then Kayla was born. Needless to say, I was mean to her, and my friends were mean to her. In many ways we were treated like sisters.

As time went on, and I became a Christian, she became one of my closest friends. As the years have gone by, the Lord has crafted a unique storyline over her life. She has been drenched with trials, obstacles, seasons of drought and seasons of flooding. She has seen death up close and stepped into roles never intended for her. She has walked through challenges that she never dreamed she would face and has been tasked with keeping her family intact on more than one occasion. Despite all this, on the other side of every mountain, she comes out glowing. She shines brighter with the glow of the Holy Spirit on her life. She has held tighter to the Cross of Jesus. I have been reading a book about navy seals and some of their leadership training, and one of their key phrases is “the only easy day was yesterday.” This could not be truer for this sweet soul.

Kayla will always be defined as the woman who could. She loves big. She gives all. She never looks for things in return. When all was stacked up against her, she overcame. When the enemy came to take her joy, she was victorious. No, the path is not the way she planned, but it was the way intended for her and her babies. Kayla defines a woman who, while longing for an easier path, stands on top of the mountain that she just climbed, hands on hips, thankful for the journey that reinforced her God and redefined her heart.