The Courage Awards - Looking Towards Heaven

Last week I shared with you about how my friends in the blogosphere have been inspiring me, filling me with courage as I watch them bravely face trials and tragedies. As I see these women grow in Christ and even find joy in the midst of their pain, I realize that I do not have to be so easily frightened. Just as God has empowered them to endure, so he will strengthen me to face whatever lies in my future.

So I have decided to feature some of these women with a special Courage Award. If you know a blogger whom I should consider for a Courage Award please let me know.

This week I would like to spotlight Karla from Looking Towards Heaven. Over the past year, Karla’s family has been rocked with challenges. With finances so tight, they have experienced the provision of the Lord with miracles like their own FedEx delivered manna. Instead of crumbling, Karla has grown in faith and glorified the Lord. She inspires me through her life and her perspective.

And now, as she approaches a new year – and a new life also growing inside her – I want to bless her and pray for her. She has been faithful and I will continue to grow by reading her story.

A couple weeks ago, Karla began a series on Bill Hybels’ study Character – Who You Are When No One is Looking. If you haven’t checked it out yet, please do. I have read this book and it is a challenging, insightful journey. She started it last week and I am sure you will be blessed by reading it and/or participating.

Interview with Karla from Looking Towards Heaven

Janice: Karla, I love the quote you have on your site, “If we had no winter, the spring would not be so pleasant; if we did not sometimes taste of adversity, prosperity would not be so welcome.” Could you share with us some of the challenges you have faced this last year?

Karla: Oh my… First off, let me start by saying “Thank you” for interviewing me. Since I started my blog, I’ve prayed that God would somehow use my blog for His glory. And hopefully, this will facilitate that…

We started this past year (2006) living with my in-laws because we had been brought to our knees financially. It really is a long story, one I’ve been planning on writing a post on, and very much in the style of Job. It seemed that God was going to take everything from us. We didn’t understand why - we were seeking Him all along the way. But it became apparent that every time we had prayed about something, and had peace about it, it blew up in our faces.

We can look back at it now and see where the Lord was bringing us and how He delivered us. But at the time it was one challenge after another after another. And not just financially - we had some health issues thrown in, car troubles, plumbing troubles - just when we thought we could let out a sigh, we had to suck in a deep breath again. As to the quote on my blog, it was so fitting for my story. When you have had to rely on other people’s mercy for a place to live, even an apartment with no closet space and some plumbing issues can be the most beautiful place on earth.

Janice: What have been the most important lessons you have learned through it all? How have your struggles impacted your faith?

Karla: Recently, several people have said to me “If the Lord brings you to it, He’ll see you through it.” And it is so true. We have seen this first hand, over and over. I’ve REALLY learned to trust in the Lord. Not just say it. I’ve learned that He REALLY does care for me and the smallest details of my life. These struggles have taken it from head knowledge to Truth that fills my heart and soul. I know that my life will NEVER be the same. He has changed my from the inside.

C.S. Lewis’ house analogy comes to mind: “Imagine yourself as a living house. God comes in to rebuild that house. At first, perhaps, you can understand what he is doing. He is getting the drains right and stopping the leaks in the roof and so on: you knew that those jobs needed doing and so you are not surprised. But presently he starts knocking the house about in a way that hurts abominably and does not seem to make sense. What on earth is he up to? The explanation is that he is building quite a different house from the one you thought of - throwing out a new wing here, putting on an extra floor there, running up towers, making courtyards. You thought you were going to be made into a decent little cottage: but he is building up a palace. He intends to come and live in it himself.”

Janice: That is beautiful. I have never heard that analogy before. Thanks for sharing that. How has blogging affected your journey? Has it helped you grow in your faith?

Karla: It has definitely helped me grow in my faith. To be connected to so many godly women… what a blessing. Some of the blogs I read just completely amaze me - they are seeking questions to answers that I never considered. And watching them work through it and considering it myself… wow.

I see God all over the blogosphere. It’s opened the door for so much growth for me. Even if no one else read my blog, it allows me to sort through my day and to go back and see answered prayers or growth. One might argue that it is easy to become someone else since you could blog anonymously. But that is part of why I have my first name and photo on my blog. It keeps me authentic. Plus, my family and friends read it, and they would hold me accountable for anything that I tried to “fake”. Recently, Lauren (Created for His Glory, now A Humble Heart) wrote “Writing about the Lord is not the same as living for Him.” This is so true, and I really had to search my heart and ask the Lord to remove any pride stemming from by blog.

Janice: What bloggers have touched you the most?

Karla: So many… I have blogs in my feeds that make me laugh out loud. Then there are those that really blow my mind with the questions and answers they are seeking.

But I’d have to say that Barb has touched me with her kindness. Her love for the Lord is apparent even when she is writing about her favorite recipes - it just permeates from her. Also, OwlHaven, Jules, and Ruth are some of my favorites because they challenge me to seek and grow. They blog about things that my mind has to really hash through and search deep for what I REALLY do believe about the things they are asking.

Janice: Thank you so much Karla for fitting in this impromptu interview. I am blessed to know you and I look forward to getting to know you even better in the coming months.

Karla: Thank you, Janice. I am so thankful for you and your sister, Susan, and what you have done here with 5 Minutes for Mom. What a blessing! I can’t wait to see what the future holds for you and this site. Blessings and peace!