My daughter Kara has always been an easy-going, laid back, very contented person. On this day, (September 22) 23 years ago, she came into the world. She is my first born. Kara has been sweet, and easy-going since the very beginning. I was only in labor for 2 hours with her, and the “hard pushing” only lasted 10-15 minutes. I loved holding her. I loved nursing her.
She was a “sweet snuggler” from the get-go. She loved to be held, caressed and kissed. As she got older, she loved to return touch. She would often initiate holding hands, or giving a hug or kiss. This continued throughout high school and into adulthood. She will still come and sit on my lap with her arms wrapped around my neck and talk and giggle and laugh...in a rapture of perfect contentment. When Kara touches you, a calm serenity seems surround.
Jesus possesses many of the qualities that He graciously bestowed upon Kara to bring to this world with her arrival. Hence, Kara was attracted to Him at a young age. She told me she loved Jesus and wanted Him to live in her heart. It was my wonderful privilege to pray with her as she accepted Christ as her Lord and Savior at the age of five. Kara and Jesus have been dear friends ever since then.
Life was not always easy for Kara. Her dad and I divorced when she was eight years old. What had been her stable perfect little family, came to a crashing halt. She had to step up in a big way when I had to go into full time work. Yet, throughout it all, she remained sweet and eventually found her contentment in Christ. With Jesus, Kara became such a picture of contentment.
Others seek Kara out and want to be with her because she ushers that peace and contentment around them and into their circumstances. She is the calm word in the midst of chaos and confusion. She is often the Peace that passes understanding. Kara would be the first to tell you that her relationship with Christ the Source from which she draws this strength.
Kara is an adult now. She is happily married. She continues to be a devout follower of Christ. Kara would be the first to happily tell you that her relationship with Christ the Source of her sweetness and contentment.
I fell in love with Kara the moment I laid eyes on her. I have been in love with her Kara for 23 years. She has surely become one of my nearest and dearest friends. Kara continues to be an example and model to me of genuine sweetness and true contentment. In some ways, the daughter has become the teacher...smile.
Thoughts:
True joy comes when we can live in a state of contentment no matter the situation.
I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry whether living in plenty or in want. Philippians 4:12b
