This week I’ve been thinking about how God shows love by placing certain people in our lives. I had good parents who wanted a baby for eight years before God sent me to them. They cherished and adored me. I grew up feeling loved and appreciated. They taught me to know and love Jesus, raised me at Fallowfield United Methodist Church, and taught me the invaluable blessing of having family nearby.
I had three grandmas within a five-mile drive until I was ten. Then one grandma moved to Greenville, about ten miles from home. My aunt also lives in Greenville. I always had loved ones around.
God gave my parents good neighbors, many of whom had children my age or within ten years of my age. Our neighbors across the street had three daughters, beautiful inside and out, who babysat my brother, sister, and I for a total of ten years. My sister and I had two good friends within walking distance of our house. My brother’s best friend lived down the road, too.
My church family at Fallowfield has always demonstrated love, and after Mom’s car accident last summer, they really came through. They covered all the pie bakes Mom and I were supposed to chair (that was Crawford County Fair week)—probably a dozen shifts altogether. They brought my Dad and I food, gave us gas cards, showered Mom in cards, flowers, visits, and love.
Fallowfield is filled with strong Christians; true people of faith, who love Jesus and others. I’ve never felt truly alone. And if, God forbid, I lost my family, I know I’d have my church family to love and support me.
I had good friends in the band in high school who made life brighter and sprinkled laughter and on top, for extra fun. I love music—band is what got me through junior high and high school. My friends made it even more memorable and fun.
God gave me two wonderful children who love and challenge me, and give me great sense of purpose and comfort.
He has opened the door to music again, allowing me to play my cornet in church with our wonderful pianist every week. Offering my talent to God is as much a gift to me as it is to the congregation.
He gave me writing and publishing opportunities through this column, devotional markets, and now, my novel, “Freeing Colt,” which should be published by the end of February.
God continues to give me opportunities to meet people who touch my life, such as the teens I teach in youth group at Jamestown Presbyterian Church and the children I teach in Sunday school at Fallowfield.
All these people, starting with my parents, point back to God’s loving hand. God cares about every detail of our lives. He cared whether I had someone to talk to and laugh with while we practiced field routines in marching band. He cared about me having friends to swim with in the summer, about having good babysitters, a loving church family, grandmas and my aunt nearby, children to love and raise, children and teens to teach about Jesus, and writing opportunities.
Bottom line? God puts special people in our lives during different times, and they are his gift to us. Cherish these people. Write them a thank-you note. Give them a hug and let them know you appreciate them. And be the person who God uses to bring joy to others—be their blessing.