“Kayla told us that she felt God laid something on her heart to share with us that night, and read to us Romans 12:18. The talk was life-altering for me. She spoke on how we do what we can to live at peace with everyone, and that it didn’t mean that everyone would always like you. It meant that as sisters in Christ we should strive for peace, even if healing relationships were rejected. If we strove for peace, then we did what we should do, and we couldn’t control the response of others. I felt the guilt of past relationships melt away. With all that previously happened in our church, I strove so hard for reconciliation with people who rejected it. Sitting there in that room with those girls at the retreat listening to Kayla speak, I felt so much peace. Since then, I am reminded of this verse constantly. When I am tempted to respond angrily towards another person, I can hear her quoting Romans 12:18. Her talk helped me to understand that when I strive for peace with all, I am doing the right thing, even if people choose to reject peace and reconciliation with me. Kayla’s talk that night made such a profound impact on me that it still sits strongly with me 5 years later.”
– Hannah Donaldson
Dallas, TX
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