I truly believe there are different folks for different strokes through our lives. God puts people in our lives for a reason and this can be for a season or a lifetime. Sometimes we realize the reason instantly but then there are times it takes a while, then it’s like, oh — ok, this is the reason God put you in my life. I’m thankful to God for the people that are still in my life and those who are no longer in my life. They’ve all contributed, in one way or another, to who I am today. I cherish and celebrate the richness and flavor every person brought into my life.

God sends us different folks for different strokes

Different people meet different needs in our lives. We do and share different things with different people based on common experiences (good and bad), interest/hobbies, likes/dislikes, concerns, causes, religious/political/social affiliations, mindset, spirituality, belief, moral values, etc..  I like referring to this as “Different Folks for Different Strokes.”

God knows who we need and when we need them. He knows that sometimes we need a shoulder to cry on, someone to talk to that will listen without judging, that will give words of wisdom, comfort, encouragement, sound advice, a helping hand, a cheer leader. God knows that sometimes we need someone that will tell us what we need to hear, not what we want to hear. Someone we will listen to and not get offended because we know that someone genuinely cares, loves us and has our best interest at heart. God knows that sometimes we need someone to pray for us and pray with us. That’s why He puts people in our lives to meet our ever changing needs. That’s why God put Gwen in my life.

I know why God put Gwen in my life

Gwen is my spiritual sister. I met her in 2000 at work. We immediately clicked and that’s when the laughing and “tripping,” as Gwen would say, started. I know our co-workers wondered “what’s wrong with those two, they’re always laughing and carrying on.” What they didn’t know is that we were laughing and tripping about ourselves. We had so much going on in our lives that we’d be talking and somehow we’d wind up laughing and tripping.

When Gwen and Rance married, they moved to another state. Gwen and I don’t see each other or talk or text often but that’s ok because our spirits stay connected. I know this might sound weird but that’s the way it is. It’s hard to explain but I’ll give an example. Months would go by without us talking or texting but when we talk we realize that God has been talking to us about the same things so we have a good old time sharing, laughing and praising God. At the beginning we were so amazed and tried to figure it out but we decided to leave it alone and let God be God and go with His flow.

Now going back to what I said about God putting people in our lives for a reason. Gwen is a prayer warrior and filled with Godly wisdom. She is blessed and highly favored, and this is not a cliché. I’ve gone to Gwen for advice and prayer. I clearly remember three specific times when I was caught up in “my feelings” and I went to her for advice. The advice she gave me those three times were on point. I immediately felt peace and they made a difference in my life and in the way I’ve dealt with similar situations. One big thing we have in common is that we strongly believe in the power of prayer so we are always praying for each other, for our families and for others.

Gwen & Rance are family!

Gwen and Rance are family and we love them dearly. They are parents, grandparents and great grandparents. Above all, they love God and Jesus and are led by the Holy Spirit and love doing God’s work and sharing His Word. They are members of Mount Zion Missionary Baptist Church. Rance is Head of the Alter Ministry and The Seniors Help at Home Ministry. Gwen is a member of the Street Evangelism Ministry and Head of the Sick and Shut-in Calling Ministry.

I’m so proud of Gwen. She is a retired Navy veteran. I’d like to thank all veterans for your service! Gwen is the owner and founder of 3 Square Leaf, LLC (formally Matter of Lifestyle, LLC).  The business birth from a genuine concern for educating and offering an affordable way for people to become more aware of a better alternative to live their lives free of chemicals.

During our lifetime we have had and will have different folks for different strokes. Let’s cherish and celebrate each one because God has put them in our lives for a reason and a season or a lifetime.

Who has God put in your life?

Bible Reflection

“The heartfelt counsel of a friend is as sweet as perfume and incense.” Proverbs 27:9 NLT

“As iron sharpens iron, a friend sharpens a friend.” Proverbs 27:17 NLT

“Two are better than one, because they have a good return for their work: If one falls down, his friend can help him up. But pity the man who falls and has no one to help him up!” Ecclesiastes 4:9-10 NIV

From Deb’s  to yours…

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