When Calling Meets Character: Kyla’s Whitcomb Christmas Story
There are moments in ministry when everything you’ve been learning quietly clicks into place—not in a classroom, but in the middle of real people, real pressure, and real purpose. Kyla’s experience at the Whitcomb Christmas Store at Gloria Dei - Houston was one of those moments.
When Kyla first arrived to serve, her initial reaction was honest: this feels like a lot. Volunteers everywhere, stations to organize, families arriving—energy high and expectations higher. Like many leaders wired for action and responsibility, she jumped straight into execution mode. But beneath the surface, something else was happening. The pace, the pressure, and her natural tendency to rush were beginning to shape the atmosphere around her.
Then came the pause.
In the middle of the evening, Kyla became aware of herself—her tone, her speed, her posture—and made a quiet decision to slow down. Not because the work was finished, but because the Spirit was inviting her into something deeper. As she stepped back, peace came over her—almost supernatural in its clarity. Patience followed. The frantic edge softened. And suddenly, the event was no longer something to manage—it became something to steward.
❝ I was using my spiritual gifts of administration, encouragement, and mercy—and it stimulated growth in patience, joy, kindness, and gentleness, not just in me, but in others as well.❞ — Kyla, Houston, Texas
As Kyla and her teammate Avery moved through the space, their role shifted from problem-solvers to shepherds. They checked in with volunteers, made sure stations were supported, and—most importantly—engaged families with genuine presence. Conversations lingered. Stories were shared. Kids’ excitement spilled over into parents’ gratitude. What could have felt transactional became relational.
Later, while reflecting on the experience, Kyla realized why the evening had impacted her so deeply. In her Disciples Made reading, she had encountered a framework describing how calling and character grow best together. Calling gives purpose and energy. Character gives depth and integrity. When the Spirit develops both at the same time, their impact doesn’t just add—it multiplies.
That’s exactly what Kyla saw unfolding in real time. This is what happens when discipleship moves from theory to practice—when calling and character are formed together in real environments.
She was operating in her calling—administration, encouragement, mercy, shepherding—while the Spirit simultaneously strengthened her character. Patience, kindness, gentleness, and joy weren’t forced; they were formed. And as those qualities surfaced in her, they began shaping the people around her. Volunteers felt calmer. Families felt seen. The atmosphere shifted because a leader allowed the Spirit to lead her before she led anyone else.
Kyla also noticed something else that night: posture matters. Not just physical posture, but spiritual posture. How we stand, wait, listen, and respond communicates more than words ever could. In a culture where the church’s credibility is often questioned, these small, embodied moments of authenticity speak volumes. Transformation doesn’t start with polish—it starts with presence.
Whitcomb Christmas wasn’t just a successful event. It was a lived example of what happens when leaders abide in awareness—aware of God, themselves, and others. It was proof that disciple-making isn’t reserved for formal settings. It happens in gift-wrapping lines, quiet conversations, and moments when we choose peace over pressure.
For Kyla, this night marked one of the first times she could feel calling and character coming together. And that’s the invitation for all of us: step into what God has invited you to do, stay attentive to how He’s shaping who you are, and trust that He will multiply the impact—often in ways you never planned.