THE BLESSING OF PEOPLE

“We do not meet people by accident. 
God places these people in our lives for a reason.”

“Even if our time with someone expires, our prayers do not.”

“Some people come into your life and challenge you and change you for the better. These are the people who you will always remember.”

 

Three quotes that I saw this past week that I think have great truth; worthy of taking a few minutes to reflect upon this week.

 

 

My heart is bubbling over in excitement in realizing that this post, post #248, marks the fifth anniversary of Hopetoinspireyou.com! 

Never in my wildest dreams five years ago did I imagine that I would be writing weekly, even having a website, “highlighting God’s Presence to Inspire Your Life!” 

I am truly so thankful to the Lord for putting those people in my path to inspire and encourage me to embark on this adventure! 

More importantly, I thank the Lord for providing the inspiration, week by week, seeing Him, listening to His still, small voice leading me to share my heart with you.  This site is really about helping me process my faith, helping me grow closer to Him and grow in understanding.  I always say if one post can help one person see something differently or grow in their relationship with God, His will is being accomplished and I am thankful.  

Many thanks to one and all for faithfully reading and sharing your comments to help me see something outside the box.  Your love and support through the years are so appreciated!

 

I will praise you, LORD, with all my heart; I will tell of all the marvelous things you have done.  –Psalm 9:1  (NLT)

I thank my God for you every time I think of you;  and every time I pray for you all, I pray with joy because of the way in which you have helped me in the work of the gospel from the very first day until now.   –Philippians 1:3-5  (GNT)

 

As I mention in the “About” section of this website,  hearing the Christian band, Third Day, six years ago began the ripple effect of events, people and circumstances that God used to ignite the “fire in my bones” of expressing my thoughts of God in the ordinary with this website.

Thinking about the three quotes that started these current thoughts I can’t help but think of the validity of the statements.   It is interesting to reflect that Third Day is no longer an official band, and people that God used to inspire and encourage me to start this site are no longer doing those same things so not directly involved in my life anymore.

 

I am so thankful to the Lord for bringing these people into my life for this reason…to touch my heart and inspire me to search my heart and share Christ with others through penning thoughts.

I can say for sure though that these groups of people will always be near and dear to my heart. 

And, that my prayers of thanksgiving and praying that they are all well continue to this day. 

Yes, they have definitely challenged me, in my faith and abilities, to do  more than I ever thought possible, changing me for the better!!  They pointed me more and more to God.

 

 

 

As I think of the many people God has blessed my life with during these five years, I am in awe and so very thankful!  An editor and others who have walked with me to encourage me from the beginning stages, blogger care groups that helped challenge me, read and shared my posts, people that I have never met in person but are always there with some encouragment from the Lord and willing to pray whenever there is a need….what wonderful blessings from above you all are!  Thank you from the bottom of my heart~

 

 

Do you notice daily those people God may put in your path that come into your life….maybe a simple interaction that ends up blessing you in some way?

I was aware of this this past week in my life in a few ways….

Often social media can be seen in a negative light but I know my life has been blessed in a positive way through it.  There are people that post encouraging, uplighting things which bless my life; things that help me think outside the box and keep my mind more on the positive, Godly things. God even uses their posts to confirm in my mind thoughts that are running around in my head to pen.

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Recently, through more of those “God incidents” I met two people that have blessed my life.  One was at a Christian concert where my friend and I “randomly” sat next to this gentleman. Before the concert began we started conversing and come to find out he is a “writer” too. I ended up giving him a card about my website.  It was quite interesting that a few of the things we were talking about before the concert were then confirmed during the concert as the singers were sharing.  We both noticed it immediately; God at work making us smile.  Come to find out, this gentleman’s faith has been inspiring to read about as he comments on some of my weekly thoughts providing me with great feedback as well as encouraging me in my writing.

The other was a lady that sat at my table for the last meal we shared at a retreat.  We did not even really end up talking to each other at the retreat but she asked for a card when she heard I had a website.  She is actually the only person that has ever ended up emailing me from my website.  My life has been blessed getting to know her, things she has been through in her life and sharing our love of the Lord and experiences in our lives.

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As I try to walk throughout the neighborhood, weather permitting, God’s perfect timing always amazes me and makes me thankful.  This past week, it was perfect timing that I ran into a neighbor that I used to actually know from church back when I was growing up in my home church.  She now lives kitty corner to us.  In the 20 some years we have lived here it is actually very rare that we run into each other!

This particular day she was just arriving home and got out of her car to get her mail as I was walking near her house. She was very kind and took a few minutes to ask me about things and about my family inquiring what my children were up to.  Much to my surprise, with no prompting from me, she said she would be praying especially for one of my children.  I was really touched by that.  A stranger feeling led to pray for someone she doesn’t even know!

After my encounter with this lady that day, I thought, oh, I didn’t think about sharing my website with her.  So I made a note to remind myself to write her a quick thank you note for offering to pray for my family and give her my website info.  A few days later as I was walking I thought to myself, it was time to write that note.  It was early afternoon so I thought (God’s still small voice) after finishing that day’s walk, I would go write the note and go stick it in her mailbox.

I proceeded to do that but noticed her mailbox was empty so I decided to just go stick the card between her front doors.  Much to my surprise, as I walked up the stairs, there she is sitting on the far end of the porch, whose view is hidden by trees, reading a book.  We actually caught each other by surprise and thankfully neither of us screamed in surprise of each other!  🙂

It was a blessed encounter as we chatted more about God and sharing things in our lives.  A simple, God ordained moment that blessed me once again.

 

 

This week, I have another request for you….Can you share, in the comment section below, the answer to one or more of the following questions?  It is truly a blessing to hear from you, my dear readers!

 

 

The LORD directs the steps of the godly. He delights in every detail of their lives.  –Psalm 37:23  (NLT)

Do all this in prayer, asking for God’s help. Pray on every occasion, as the Spirit leads. For this reason keep alert and never give up; pray always for all God’s people.   –Ephesians 8:18  (GNT)

Let us be concerned for one another, to help one another to show love and to do good.   Let us not give up the habit of meeting together, as some are doing. Instead, let us encourage one another all the more, since you see that the Day of the Lord is coming nearer.   –Hebrews 10:24-25  (GNT)