I've been reading an interesting book, God's Guest List, by Debbie Macomber.  She talks about God putting people in our lives that are gifts to us -- and that many times we refuse to open the gift He's given and we lose out.  She suggests that we make a list of 30 people (no, it's not a magic number -- just somewhere to start), that we would like to meet in the course of our lives and that we keep a Guest List Journal -- of folks who've impacted our lives.

As I've been reading and thinking about her suggestions, I've realized that I'm rich in friends.  I don't dream of meeting celebrities -- authors, sports heroes, movie stars--because God has blessed me with men and women of faith.  What they've shared with me (and continue to share with me) has impacted my life and my ministry.  This includes family members -- Mom, Dad, Sister, Brother, In-Laws, Neices, Nephews, and Cousins.  That number alone would make up my 30!  But Christian brothers and sisters from college days, co-workers for the past twenty-five years at Southland, volunteers in lots of different areas, and ministry associations through traveling groups and serving on committees with other organizations, all have impacted me because of these people who were willing to invest in me.

Philippians 1:3--6 expressed Paul's feelings about the folks God put in his life.  "I thank my God every time I remember you. In all my prayers for all of you, I always pray with joy because of your partnership in the gospel from the fifrst day until now, being confident of this, that He who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus." 

So, take time to make a list...even keep a journal...and thank God for His plan to put people in your life that you can continue to learn from and serve with for His glory. Don't leave the gifts unopened!

Cindy Willison, Ministry Services Leader -- Danville Campus