John 17:6 I have revealed you to those whom you gave me out of the world They were yours; you gave them to me and they have obeyed your word.

Jesus was talking about the disciples. In this passage He was actually praying for them, talking to God about them. Jesus taught to many people, but He carefully prepared His chosen disciples to know who He was/is and to continue spreading the Good News. Once we become saved, I think we should consider ourselves part of the people given to Jesus, especially because the Holy Spirit promises to be with us and enables us to love like Christ and spread the Good News too.

I am not sure if there are people who believed in or became closer to Jesus because of my presence in their lives. I hope so, because that means I have (at least in part) been doing what Jesus put me here to do. I am thankful for the people in my life who drew me closer to Christ and helped me see my need for Him. Sometimes other people are the only ones who can pull us out of our own little world, the box we put ourselves in, the lies we believe about ourselves and the world.

Did the Lord give me people specifically to love out of this world? In a way different than Jesus (because he never married or had kids), I know He did; I married Mike and have two adorable kids. They are mine, given to love like Jesus loves and prepare them to go into all the world and show His love and salvation. But are there more? I believe so... they are the friends that have "stuck" with me through the hard places, through the past, through all the growing I have done (and I am sure not finished yet, so I hope they will stick around for more.) They are the other family that has to put up with me and sees how I live my daily life, as much as is possible from 1700 miles away.

Today, right now, I am lifting up prayers for my friends and family to know Jesus more personally or for the first time. My prayer will always be that you see Jesus in me.