Many years ago, Renee and I were invited to participate in an anniversary celebration hosted by the daughter of some dear friends we deeply loved. The event was being held at an upscale restaurant, and we were expected to cover our own expenses. That created a real dilemma.
At the time, we had four small children and absolutely no discretionary income. Simply put, we could not afford to go. Yet our hearts told us we needed to be there. These friends meant a great deal to us, and we wanted to honor them.
So we prayed and asked God for help.
When the evening arrived, we ordered the least expensive items on the menu and drank only water. Even then, it stretched us beyond what we could reasonably afford. We sat there torn—wanting to honor our friends, yet feeling the weight of our financial strain.
At that same season of life, I had started a company built around a product the world had never seen before. Every penny we had—and more—was going into its development. The financial pressure was intense. We desperately needed an investor to help us take the next step forward.
That night at dinner, we happened to be seated with a lovely couple. In the middle of casual conversation, the woman mentioned—almost offhandedly—that her brother was looking to invest a significant amount of money into a venture with strong potential.
The moment she said it, something ignited inside me. It felt like a flash of lightning. I instantly knew—this was a word from God.
I asked for his name and number. Not long after, we met him. He became a partner in the company. Within months, our product was being mass-produced, and the world was introduced to the first commercial, wall-mounted infant changing table—now found in public restrooms around the globe. Parents everywhere change babies daily on those fold-down tables.
Who would have imagined that God would work in our lives through a dinner we could not afford?
Here’s something important to understand: God most often brings blessing into our lives through people.
Renee and I had seen this pattern over and over again in our lives—and that night was no exception. God uses people as messengers of blessing. Read the Bible and you’ll see it everywhere. And that means if you want to receive God’s blessings, you must learn to love people and enjoy them—including introverts.
If you isolate yourself or avoid people, you may be avoiding the very ones God intends to use to bless you. And here’s the surprising part: God often uses people you would never expect. Sometimes, He even sends angels who look like ordinary people.
Hebrews 13:2 (NIV) “Do not forget to show hospitality to strangers, for by so doing some people have shown hospitality to angels without knowing it.”
People bring blessings in many forms. They may bring a meal, a gift, or a helping hand. They may offer encouragement, wise counsel, or a timely word from God that gives direction and clarity. They may provide resources when you’re lacking, comfort when you’re hurting, or laughter when you desperately need joy.
As I look back over every significant moment of blessing in my life, God has always used people to bring what I needed.
Yet most people today move at an exhausting pace. Meaningful relationships often get pushed aside by busy schedules. So here’s a simple suggestion: create intentional “people moments.”
Arrive at work fifteen minutes early—not to get ahead on tasks, but to connect with someone. Build small pockets of time into your day to stop, listen, and genuinely care about what’s happening in another person’s life. You’ll be amazed at how refreshing it can be.
Slowing down makes it easier to live out Jesus’ command:
John 15:12 (NKJV) “This is My commandment, that you love one another as I have loved you.”
It’s much easier to love people when you make time to love them.
And somewhere along those conversations—those unplanned, unhurried moments—you’ll see God’s hand bring blessing into your life through people.
Why not choose to live richly connected, surrounded by godly relationships, and see for yourself how God works?
John 6:9 (NKJV) “There is a lad here who has five barley loaves and two small fish, but what are they among so many?”
God has always used people—and He still does today.
