I'll never forget driving back from a ministry trip. We were driving a SUV with a trailer attached, carrying several boxes of product and luggage. We were traveling the highway around midnight, determined to make it home, when the SUV began to shake out of control. We immediately began to pray, not knowing what was happening. Was it a flat? Had we been hit? What was causing the vehicle to feel as if it were about to turn over? One of the staff members looked out of the back window and the trailer in tow was swinging violently from side to side. Suddenly, all we heard was a loud BOOM! The frightening sound was a result of the trailer detaching from the SUV, crashing into a deep ditch and hitting a tree with such force that the contents of the trailer were catapulted 30 feet into the water and woods. Our product was severely damaged as well as most of our clothing, which was thrown from the luggage. We were grateful that we all came out without a scratch! But I began to think about what could have happened if the trailer had not detached. The turbulence created by the force of the trailer could have taken us right with it, I was grateful it let go!

As I began to further think about this whole event, I wondered how many of us are attached, just like that trailer, to things and/or people who won't seem to let go. Who or what is causing turbulence in your life? Has being attached to something or someone caused things in your life to shake seemingly out of control? Sometimes we become so consumed with what we are attached to, that we fail to see what is important right before us. We all face difficult seasons in our life, but we must be aware and very clear about the purpose others serve in our lives and vice versa.

I BELIEVE PEOPLE ENTER INTO OUR LIVES FOR ONE OF THREE PURPOSES: A Reason, Season, or a Lifetime

1) REASON - A moment in time, lasting any where from 5 minutes to 5 weeks. There may be an urgent situation where we need direction, wisdom, a word of encouragement or someone to talk to at a specific time. God will send someone in our paths to serve that purpose. You know those times when we seem to meet the right person at the right time, whether it be at the grocery store, in the mall or at work, they seem to appear out of no where, speak on the exact situation you needed answers to.

2) SEASON - Often times, when we are going through a difficult period, God will allow a person to enter our lives to provide us with wisdom or life experiences concerning our situation. They will walk with us to ensure we do not forfeit our dreams. Often times when we are going through we are tempted to make permanent decisions based on our temporary circumstances. So this person is sent in our lives to help us stay focused on what is to come rather than what is.

3) LIFETIME - These are those people we don't talk to every day, but our destinies are connected for the future. No matter what, these individuals will pop up just in time throughout our lives. We are able to draw strength from one another and enhance the God-given gifts in each other. We must remain prayerful and understand why people enter our lives.

Be careful that when you attach, you know when to let go!