We all have history in our life. It’s important to look at that history and take stock of what it meant to our life, how it molded and shaped our life, or just blessed us.
Good examples are lessons from very special people in our lives (Grandmothers, parents, teachers and mentors). There are other harder things in our life that shape us, but reveal the village of support we have in our life. Then there are just pure blessings that God just sends our way!
Have you looked to see where God was in these circumstances? It’s very easy to see God in good circumstances, in times of joy and fun. However, people often feel abandoned when circumstances are difficult, like God isn’t present. Or even that God isn’t loving, if what I wanted didn’t come true.
I choose to look at hard circumstances in my life and see what people God put there during that time. (I started this practice while doing Henry Blackaby’s “Experiencing God” Bible study.) I used to be truly amazed at what I would find when I reflected. Now it’s become a matter of expectation, a matter of knowing my Heavenly Father is there just as I’m there for my children here on earth. As adults my children have to call me and let me know they need me, but when they were little I would often see their need and react before they asked. God wants us to call out to Him just like we want people to ask us for help. He’s always already there, just like our spouse, a parent, a child or a best friend is by our side or a phone call away. Many times however, it’s the person or people – literally strangers – He sends our way.
This happened recently with my car. I was totally rescued by the wife who helped me know where to take the car, drove me to work and then arranged for her husband (who works two blocks away from me) to take me back to my car at the end of the day. They were people of faith, but they just as easily might have been good people who don’t claim faith. God uses everyone whether they know it or not. We who have faith, have a greater responsibility to be His hands and feet.
As each has received a gift, use it to serve one another, as good stewards of God’s varied grace
Simply put God has blessed each of us with money, skills, kindness and love. We are to be good stewards of that, as well as to be present to the fact that others are doing that for us!
Father, may we see your handiwork in the threads of our lives, the stepping stones of people that You have brought in to our lives. These stones that have led the path to people we are today. May we appreciate more fully the stones that are to come in our path, our journey, that we call life.
Grace Under Pressure 
Tammie – thanks for sharing this! What a great reminder!!
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