The People Who Influence Us

Good evening everyone! How I have you missed being on here. I have been so busy with a new job, and taking care of my husband and 4 fur-children. There have been so many things that have happened to me in the past year, I cannot help but reflect on all that has happened.

It truly amazes me how much people influence us, whether it be good or bad. Sadly to say, I think we don't really know how much a person influences us until it's sometimes too late.

Looking back on the past, I can totally see where people have influenced me, and more so, in that was not beneficial to me or to my spiritual walk. It is so important to surround yourself with people who are going to really encourage and build you up. Not bring you down or make you forget who you are or what you stand for. I was guilty in losing myself and compromising on some of the basic principals I stand for and letting people walk over me because I was afraid of disappointing them or angering them. Unfortunately, it took me too long to realize this and that this was not who I am, that this is not what God wants me to be. We are to reach out to those who are lost, but not become one of the lost. Looking back at that, I can see where I was unhappy, unloving, defeated, and to top it all off, I had lost my identity. I let this person/these people do this. I am not proud of this. I really wish I had found my footing and foundation sooner. *sings* shake it off, shake it off.

I am now in a much better place than I have ever been in so many years. Finding a body of believers that truly want see me, me of all people, and see me as the woman God created me to be is amazing, inspiring. Never, have I ever seen so many people love the Lord and genuinely love the body. Yes I said it, love the body. Being loving and caring for others, rather doing things to make themselves look better or making you jump through hoops, or sacrifice your heart for just the possibility to make it into their super elite club. It feels so good to my soul to be surrounded by these amazing people. I am so blessed to have these people in my life. These people who are going to encourage and build me up so that I can in return encourage and build them up.

I have been so damaged and hurt by the people in my past. Being surrounded by the right people are and will influence me to keep me on the right path. A God-fearing path. Isn't that what we ALL crave? A deep, loving relationship with God?  I know God does. And I truly believe that God puts certain people in our lives at significant time in our lives, whether we are aware of it or not. I whole-heartedly believe that God lead Eric and I to this church a reason. For me, that reason is for growth, and healing. Healing from all the scars of past relationships within the body of Christ. 

There have been certain people who have stepped up from this group of people and have really stretched a hand out to me. I thank God every day for placing these people in my lives. They bring a smile to my face and joy to my heart. From my personal experience, you never know a good thing  until you have experienced the opposite. So, surround yourself with the right people who are going to bolster you up and hold fast and tight to these people because you will be amazed by how the right people can really influence you in the right way. In the end, you will be a happier person.






--End Transmission
AP








*Watching: Chopped.