I Want to be a People

When I was a new mother, there were times when my young daughter’s determination to “help” with whatever I was doing frustrated me. One day my feelings must have been evident on my face, because my dad looked at me and gently said, “She just wants to be a ‘people.’”

I knew exactly what he meant by that reminder. Dad was a strong believer that every person needs to feel like a contributing part of their community in order to be fulfilled. Being a “people” to him meant being included in whatever was needed to keep society functioning. He used the term “people” rather than “person” to emphasize the communal aspect required to help individuals become a community.

Recently a friend and I were talking about answers to prayer we have seen. One thing that amazes me is how God moves me to pray for something that wouldn’t ordinarily cross my mind, and then years later that thing comes to pass. It hit me that he does that to help me “be a people,” to let me know that I’ve contributed to his kingdom. He can accomplish it fine without me, but he’s letting me feel that I’ve somehow had a small part in his amazing work. I’m so glad he lets me be a people.