APPRECIATION IN RELATIONSHIP.PEOPLE ARE SACRED GIFTS TO US

We are living in a time marked by a profound paradox. On one hand, technological advancements have allowed us to be more connected than ever before; yet, on the other hand, we find ourselves increasingly isolated and disconnected in our relationships. Despite having unprecedented access to people through various means, it has become more challenging to truly recognize and appreciate their worth and value. Our self-centered and individualistic society has elevated the ideals of personal achievement, self-sufficiency, and independence so much that we have lost sight of an essential truth: we were never designed to navigate life alone.

This article serves as a heartfelt expression of celebration and gratitude. It is a manifestation of my deep appreciation for all those whom God has used in some way to bless me and to support me in ministry at different points in my journey. While there are many individuals who have played significant roles in my life, I wish to highlight two people in particular. In recent times, God has used them to demonstrate just how important and sacred the gift of people is in our lives.

 The erosion of gratitude in our relationships, both in the Church and in society at large, is not merely a social inconvenience; it is a spiritual crisis. When we take people for granted, we diminish not only their worth but also our own capacity to receive the blessings God intends to deliver through them. We become blind to the divine orchestration that places specific people in our path at specific times for specific purposes.

The people in our lives are not accidents; they are appointments. They are not merely convenient resources to be used and discarded; they are sacred gifts from heaven to be treasured and value.

From the very beginning, in the Garden of Eden, God looked at humanity and declared, “It is not good for man to be alone” (Genesis 2:18). Of course, we are now realizing how critical this statement is in its application and implications. Even in a perfect environment, in unbroken fellowship with God Himself, Adam needed human companionship. This establishes a foundational principle: human relationships are not optional additions to life; they are essential components of God’s design.

Throughout Scripture, we see God working through people to accomplish His purposes. Moses needed Aaron and Hur to hold up his arms during battle. David had Jonathan, whose friendship saved his life. Ruth had Naomi, who guided her into her destiny. Paul had Barnabas, Timothy, and countless others who supported his ministry. Even Jesus, the Son of God, chose twelve disciples for companionship and partnership in ministry.

Different Roles, Same Divine Purpose

God places different people in our lives for different seasons and purposes. Some come to encourage us when we’re weary, to correct us when we’re off course, to teach us skills and wisdom we lack, to challenge us to grow beyond our comfort zones, to support us through practical help and resources, to celebrate with us in moments of victory, and to comfort us in times of grief and loss.

A Tribute to Pastor Edgar Chauque and Fred Tembo.

In recent times, God has used two remarkable individuals to speak powerfully to me about the importance of appreciating and celebrating those who assist us on our journey. These are not the only important people in my life, but in this present season, God has used them mightily to demonstrate that He indeed places people in our lives to assist us and to accelerate us toward the purposes for which we have been designed.

The first person is Pastor Edgar Chauque, based in Mozambique. Pastor Edgar possesses technical and software expertise that far exceeds my own. For nearly two years, I struggled to put our websites in good shape so that we could post our books and connect to a payment system. We wanted to move away from Amazon, but this transition presented significant challenges that seemed insurmountable.

God used Pastor Edgar to revamp our website completely. Now we have a functional payment system integrated into the website, an excellent development that allows people to download our materials and pay immediately. This is something I could not have accomplished on my own. Even if I had the capability, I certainly didn’t have the time, and truthfully, I lack much of the expertise required for such work.

When you’re writing and bringing out materials but there’s no way to connect with people, no way for people to engage with your work through payment systems, it brings a measure of discouragement to the heart. To see our website now, to witness how professional and functional it has become, that is the work of Pastor Edgar. This is something I want to give a shout out to in sincere appreciation.

His contribution goes beyond mere technical assistance. It represents an act of partnership in ministry, a recognition that the work God has called me to do is enhanced and accelerated through his gifts. He didn’t just fix a website; he removed a barrier to the gospel being shared, to resources reaching people who need them, to the ministry expanding its reach.

The second person is Fred, someone I have known for many, many years. Fred is based in Cape Town while I am here in Johannesburg. Our relationship is not one of deep spiritual connection, but more of mutual learning, and genuine friendship. In terms of technical knowledge, particularly regarding computers and software, I have learned tremendously from Fred Tembo.

I love Fred and his family. I knew him when he used to stay close to where we were living in Franschhoek, Cape Town, before he moved. He is someone I have assisted, and he has assisted me in so many personal ways. As a person from Malawi, Fred has given me the opportunity to understand and appreciate the culture of Malawians, to see how people interact from that perspective. I love the fact that God connected me with Fred.

The Story of the Broken Laptop

Recently, my daughter’s laptop broke. There was nothing I could do from Johannesburg, and the situation was both discouraging and frustrating. I couldn’t assist her directly, and I knew that if she took the laptop to just any repair shop nearby, they might make things worse or fail to fix it properly.

Then I remembered my friend Fred, a skilled laptop and computer technician. I said to myself, “Let’s see how you can get to Uncle Freddy’s and see if we can fix this.” That’s exactly what happened. Fred took it from there, beginning to work on it immediately. He told me within a few hours he would get back to me, keeping me updated by phone throughout the process.

Fred was able to fix the laptop completely. I made a small payment from my side here in Johannesburg, but what happened next revealed the true depth of his generosity and character.

Consider what Fred’s actions demonstrate:

Availability and Responsiveness: Despite the geographical distance between Johannesburg and Cape Town, Fred was immediately accessible. He didn’t make excuses about being busy or suggest calling back later. True friends make themselves available in times of need.

Expertise Offered Freely: Fred possessed specialized knowledge in computer repair, networking, and technical diagnosis. He could have easily justified charging full price for his professional services. Instead, he viewed his skills as resources to bless his friend.

Excellence in Service: The repair was completed in under two hours, work that might typically take a week elsewhere. Fred didn’t give substandard service because it was “just for a friend.” He gave his best, demonstrating that true friendship elevates our standards rather than lowering them.

Generosity Beyond Expectation: Fred not only fixed the charging port and other issues free of charge, but he also replaced an expensive LCD screen, only asking for reimbursement when I pressed him. This wasn’t mere professional courtesy; it was sacrificial generosity.

Trustworthiness: My immediate thought was, “I can trust Fred with this.” In a world full of people who might overcharge, do shoddy work, or take advantage of your vulnerability, having someone you can trust completely is invaluable.

Here’s the sobering reality: if gratitude had not been expressed, if payment had not been insisted upon, Fred might have absorbed the entire cost of that LCD screen without ever mentioning it. This is the danger of taking people for granted. Their generosity can become so normalized that we stop seeing the sacrifice behind it. We assume, “That’s just how they are,” without recognizing that each act of kindness is a choice, not an obligation.

A Call to Gratitude

How many people like Pastor Edgar and Fred are in our lives right now, blessing us in ways we don’t even fully recognize because we’ve stopped paying attention?

The Bible repeatedly emphasizes the value of godly relationships:

“Two are better than one, because they have a good return for their labor” (Ecclesiastes 4:9)

“Iron sharpens iron, so one person sharpens another” (Proverbs 27:17)

“A friend loves at all times, and a brother is born for a time of adversity” (Proverbs 17:17)

Both Pastor Edgar and Fred embody these biblical principles. They have sharpened me, supported me, and demonstrated the love of Christ through practical, sacrificial service. Their contributions to my life and ministry cannot be measured merely in technical fixes or repaired laptops. They represent God’s faithfulness in providing exactly what I needed, when I needed it, through people who chose to use their gifts generously.

Living Gratitude

This is not just a moment of personal acknowledgment. It is a call to all of us to pause, to recalibrate, to realign ourselves with the truth that the people in our lives are divine appointments. Before we move forward, before another day passes, we must stop and express genuine gratitude to those who have blessed us.

The Apostle Paul commands, “Give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus” (1 Thessalonians 5:18). A grateful heart is a healthy heart, positioned to receive more of God’s blessings.

To Pastor Edgar: Thank you for your technical excellence, your partnership in ministry, and your willingness to use your gifts to advance the Kingdom. You removed barriers and opened doors. You turned discouragement into hope and possibility into reality. Your work matters, and it is deeply appreciated.

To Fred: Thank you for decades of faithful friendship, for your availability in crisis, for your sacrificial generosity, and for your trustworthy character. You exemplify what it means to be a true friend, and your life is a testimony to the beauty of authentic relationship. You are a treasure, and I am grateful God connected our lives.

The people in your life are not accidents. They are appointments, arranged by a loving God who knows exactly what you need and when you need it. Treat them accordingly.

Don’t wait until they’re gone to wish you had said thank you.

Say it now. Mean it. Live it.

Identify the people who have blessed your life. Stop and pray for them. Then reach out and tell them specifically how they’ve impacted you. Don’t wait. Don’t assume they know. Don’t let another day pass with your gratitude unexpressed.

As you make this a practice, you’ll discover something remarkable: gratitude multiplies. The more you express it, the more you notice to be grateful for. Your relationships deepen. Your joy increases. Your heart softens. You become more like Christ.

Let us become people marked by gratitude, not as a technique for better relationships, but as a natural overflow of hearts that truly see and value the precious gift of people in our lives.

“Give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.” (1 Thessalonians 5:18)