People. Life has a lot to do with people, doesn't it?
Scripture contains so many examples of how important the "company you keep" is. Here's one:
He who walks with wise men will be wise, But the companion of fools will suffer harm.
~ Proverbs 13:20
Lately, the Lord has shown me how He's used people to help build my life into what it is; the people He's blessed me with. This post all started with a text...
We had a missionary visiting in church that told a story about how her blog, How Many Cows, came to have that name. She was overseas in a place where it's customary to give a father a certain number of cows in exchange for his daughter's hand in marriage. While there, a man asked her if she was married. When she said no - he asked, "Well, how many cows does your dad want?" Her response was wonderful. She said that it wasn't about cows; she's worth at least one camel (camels are far more valuable than cows in that land).
When she finished her story I noticed a text on my phone from Gracie - a seasoned, single woman I serve with on the women's leadership team at church. It was the text shown above.
It got me thinking...what a special thing that I have someone in a mentor-like role to encourage me in something as specific as my singleness. Gracie regularly sends encouragement my way on that topic as someone who, though in a different season of life, is also very much working through it, too.
But, you know, my thoughts could never end there. I kept thinking...
God has given me so many people that walk alongside me in different, sometimes very specific, ways just like Gracie. He's given me people that:
Constantly keep me encouraged in leading worship
Are a constant encouragement to me with my writing
Challenge me in those two areas, and far more
Are able to clearly see when I am struggling in my walk
Just get excited for me when good things happen in life
Have come alongside of and support my family in a special way
Support me in my career and business-related ventures
Listen when that's all I need and
Tell me like it is when that's what I need
Are most of these things in one!
And underneath it all, He's given me the foundation of Christ and a family that will always be my safe place in life.
Talk about having all the bases covered...I have extra bases covered with these people!
So much of life and our walk with the Lord is impacted by our relationships. I guess that lately God has shown me just how positive that impact has been, and how His love is so deep and wide that He would bless with me such specific relationships. Oh, how I love the people I get to do life with!
I would encourage you to take a look at your life and acknowledge the ways that God has blessed you in this area. Beyond that, acknowledge what you're lacking and seek the Lord in it. God wants you walking with the wise! He is faithful to fill that need. After all, He's done it since the beginning.
~ Alyssa
P.S. The missionary I mentioned above is doing amazing work around the world with Hydromissions International. I strongly recommend that you check it out!