We all make decisions that put us in a certain place at a certain time.  And God puts certain people in that place.  This God-arranged intersection of lives is beautiful!

This morning dear Husband was recalling people who entered our lives with the precious gift of friendship and encouragement right when we needed it.  It’s humbling to think of the many beloved people who have helped us.  At every turn of our lives, God has placed someone to give us their hand of friendship and bring us along.  It makes me so grateful that I want to be that friend to someone else who crosses my path in need of friendship.

Friendships are especially crucial when we’re experiencing change.  A move, a new job, a new church, loss of health or a loved one or finances. Big and little changes come in many forms yet we all experience those turns in our lives.  And at that turn in the road God has/will put someone to help you navigate the new road.  He will also put you at the turn of the road for others to help them.  It’s a beautiful thing.  And the giver receives blessings as well as the receiver!

When I was a young teen, a big family entered my life who became a refuge, role models, and cherished friends.  They welcomed me into their home and lived out their lives in front of me laughing, helping others, serving the church, and raising their family with love and good humor.  They showed me what being a healthy family looks like.  Their home was my oasis where I frequently came to fill up my empty places as the only child of a single mom.  I don’t know where I’d be without them.  They were God’s gift to me when I was at a pivotal time in my young life.

“they should teach others what is good.  These older women must train the younger women to love their husbands and their children,  to live wisely and be pure, to work in their homes, to do good . . .”  Titus 2:3-5

My mother died when I was in high school and I lived with teachers and relatives until I graduated.  Financially on my own at college, I worked in the school library ‘making ends meet’.  I loved the job, but being immature, there were times when I was late for work.  The head of the large library was a Chinese immigrant who was a ‘no-nonsense’ lady.  She was firm and I was afraid of her, but I respected her, and deep down I was grateful that she held me accountable.  I needed her tough love but I tried to avoid run-ins with her!  She was God’s gift to me, teaching me to be responsible and dependable.  (A tall order.)

“We pray to God that you will not do what is wrong by refusing our correction. I hope we won’t need to demonstrate our authority when we arrive. Do the right thing before we come. . .”   2 Corinthians 13:7

At the beginning of my senior year of Bible school, I was busy making after-graduation plans.  I was applying for a study abroad program with the liberal arts college I was going to attend next.  But I think the Lord was smiling the day my plans started to disintegrate.  Unbeknownst to me, a certain young man had been eying me from a distance.  But I had my head down just trying to graduate with a double major, do my practical experience assignments, and work.  I wasn’t trolling.  But he was!  Ha!  One afternoon in late September while I was studying in the Student Union, he approached.  I noticed he was trying to read my class schedule which had my name, major, and phone number at the top of the page.  What I didn’t know was that he was screening me.  When my major met with his approval, he proceeded.  I found out later that he didn’t want to date a girl that wouldn’t be likely to join him in helping the less fortunate in a foreign country.  When he saw my major was international missions, he moved forward- determinedly.  And that is how God brought this precious gift to me- dear Husband, the faithful, committed person I needed to guide me through the ensuing fifty years.  (And more, God willing.)

Our wedding was one week after I graduated.  But Husband still had 3 more years of schooling ahead.  During those years of college, we lived in three locations and had two children. During our first six months of marriage, we didn’t really have friends and it was an empty, lonely time.   But after we moved the second and third times, God sent us older people who nurtured us.  One was an elderly, nearly blind Hungarian widow and her adult daughter who looked after this floundering first-time mother who needed motherly and grandmotherly women in her life.  The delicious Sunday dinners at their house filled both our stomachs and our hearts.  I hope I gave them some hint as to how much they meant to us. I know they are now enjoying their eternal rewards.  A humble ‘thank you’ comes to you from my heart, dear Grandma Ilyka and Marge.  (Marge probably saved my life and the life of my unborn baby when she drove me to the hospital the day I had an anaphylactic reaction.). In our third location, an older couple ‘adopted’ us into their large family of adult children and grandchildren.  We were always included in their family get-togethers and it felt so good.  They were God’s gift to us to help us feel part of a family when we were far away from ours.

“Greet Rufus, whom the Lord picked out to be his very own; and also his dear mother, who has been a mother to me.”  Romans 16:13.   We see in this heartfelt greeting that even Paul, the driving force in the first churches and writer of many New Testament books, appreciated the nurturing of a motherly woman.

We all make decisions that put us in a certain place at a certain time.  And God puts certain people in that place.  This God-arranged intersection of lives is beautiful!

Think of the times when you experienced change and someone came alongside you.  If it’s possible, why not thank them for their care and concern? 

I can guarantee you that if you help someone, you will be blessed more than you’ll bless them.   When you notice someone experiencing a turn in their road, why not come alongside and offer friendship and encouragement?  

“You should remember the words of the Lord Jesus: ‘It is more blessed to give than to receive.’ ”  Acts 20:35