Do you value the people God has brought across your path?

As a young girl, I learned what it meant to be appreciative. I learned at an early age that everything I had, up until that point, was to be cherished and valued. As a child, I had very little. I didn't have toys in abundance to play with. I didn't have choices as to which pretty dress I would wear each day. I had loving grandparents who were raising me in a modest home with three hot meals a-day. Mind you, I said, 'Hot Meals'.

Whenever I would come in contact with the other children in our community, I saw how much they had in comparison to me. They had a mom and a dad at home and siblings to interact with. They had an array of clothing to wear and a plethora of friends to share laughter and hugs with. 

There was something that always stood out to me as I observed my peers. Many of them took what they had been given, for granted. I saw how easy it was for them to ignore, be rude, disrespect, and talk about others. This saddened me greatly.

I'd like to be able to say that people have become more appreciative, not so, unfortunately. While some things have changed, much remains the same within the human heart. I am so grateful that God has taught me how to be thankful and appreciative for all that I have been given in this life. 

As a member of the body of Christ, and family of God, I have always valued the individuals that God had brought across my path. God had a special reason why he allowed me to meet and come in contact with others. Each person is unique. Each person had something that God intended on using to be a blessing in my life. I recognized that and always remained open when it came to people.

Unfortunately, the place where we should receive healing, comfort, support and comradeship, can also be a place where we are bruised, disrespected, ostracized and hated. This was not God's plan when He instituted the body of Christ!

I have come to value people even more regardless of any negative experiences I have had. It's unfortunate that some have missed out on what God wanted to bless them with; while others have come into the benefits of bonding, love, support, and the true enjoyment of what fellowshipping together really means.

Never take people for granted! Understand this! God has given you the opportunity for blessing when He placed you within those church walls! You have what others need and others have what you need. There will always be that bad element, unfortunately, who have not come into the good of what Christianity is all about. Pray for them! They are hurting, they are unhappy. Hurting people, hurt people! Always remember that!! Make sure that you don't 'CHOOSE' who you think is worthy of your presence or friendship. Don't shut the door on what God has for you!

DON'T BE A PHONEY within the church walls. Be who you say you are! Appreciate God's people! Love on them, look for as many ways as you can to be a blessing to them. You won't regret it!

I am thankful for the friendships and relationships that I have made along the way! I have been enriched and greatly blessed! I saw all the ways that God used each of those individuals in my life. I saw the role that they were to play. Even the haters, God allowed them to be placed strategically in my path. God had a purpose for them too! They in turn made me stronger, I saw the love of God in different ways as I endured whatever they dished out. God is faithful like that! He wastes no situation or circumstance! If it's for our benefit, He'll use it! Last, but certainly not lease, God gives each individual what they deserve for the good or the bad that they have done.

"But he who does wrong will be repaid for what he has done, and there is no partiality" (Colossians 3:25).

Stay Tune.....