Why Does God Bring Certain People Into Our Life?

Do you ever look back and wonder, what was the point of all that?

I had spent the past couple of months speaking to someone on the other side of the world that I had met on CatholicMatch. He had spent some time in the seminary and was very knowledgeable about theology and church teachings. I was immediately drawn to him due to how much he knew and was willing to teach me.

At the time, I was just starting to dig deeper into my faith and, as I learned more about it, he played a large role in leading me to the relationship I have with the faith today. We’d pray the rosary daily, talk about personal life challenges, and spend hours speaking of the saints and our favorite books. We got to know each other well enough for some feelings to develop and eventually he purchased a plane ticket to come to see me.

However, about a month before the scheduled flight, he explained how frustrated he felt with the distance. Concerns about possibly needing to move to America worried him as well and, at the moment, I understood where he was coming from. A part of me even related to some of the things he mentioned and I too felt that perhaps he was right. We agreed prior to the conversation ending that maybe long distance was not an option and finding someone close by to each other was best for both of us.

Yet, instantly after hanging up, I felt terrible.

How did this person in the United Kingdom even come across my American profile? Why would God put him in my path? Why did we get along so well and form such a connection only to have it end? As much as it hurt, after some time, I came to accept that if God truly wanted us to be together that it would happen. No amount of distance or life circumstances would get in the way of what God had meant to be, and knowing that truth gave me peace.

Eventually, I met someone in my city and we started dating. However, after over two years of dating steadily, it became clear to both of us that we were better off separate than together. I knew that if I married this man, we would have both ended up very unhappy. We eventually accepted this reality and walked away with much growth and plenty of life lessons. Still, I found myself questioning the pain that came with this next breakup. I thought, “God what was the purpose of this person being put in my path?” Could it be perhaps that this relationship was meant to show me a life lesson and then set me free? Maybe the breakup was even a blessing in disguise...

God works in mysterious ways—sometimes in ways we ourselves can not even begin to comprehend.

To put limitations on God is to go against everything we believe about Him and His greatness. We have to remember that God is a God of purpose. God brings us closer to certain people because they may be the person we need in our lives at that given moment in time.

You can’t really explain why you happen to feel a certain way about someone, why you click with a specific person more than others, or why you suddenly feel connected to a stranger. These are the people who will teach us important lessons about life or about ourselves. Sometimes, lessons we didn't even know we needed. Whether it be because at the moment we need that special person to show us the grand love God has for us, or to show us our capacity to have a personal relationship and destiny with Him. 

The plan God has for us is so unique and special that He sends you the people you need at exactly the right time. He gives you the answers you were looking for through these people. He enlightens you by bringing you closer to people who bring out the best in you. He helps you when you’re struggling by pulling you closer to those who are capable of digging you out of your darkness without you even realizing it. 

It can hurt when you and this special person don't end up together, but, nonetheless, the blessing of their short-lived time in your life leaves a lasting effect. We tend to become frustrated when certain people leave because it's not easy for us to let them go. But, the essence of letting go is showing faith in Him. Faith that your story with that temporary person is better left the way that it was. It’s better left the way God wrote it. Perhaps, rewriting it would have ruined the story. Or, it is possible that God Himself is rewriting that same story and it didn't work out at that given time for a reason but in the future, it may. 

Looking at the Psalms, it is clear that God works through our life with purpose.

Take, for example, the following verse—“Lord, you have examined my heart and know everything about me. You know my thoughts, You know everything I do. You know what I am going to say even before I say it, Lord. Every day of my life was recorded in your book. Every moment was laid out before a single day had passed. —Psalm 139: 1-4, 16. This verse can only mean that the people we know and meet are meant to be a part of our life for a special reason—it is never an accident or random coincidence. 

As I reflect on all my previous relationships, I can see God working through those moments. Each individual has left such an impact on me and in one way or another taught me a life lesson. I know God had a purpose with bringing each one of them into my life and maybe at the moment I didn't understand why and to be honest, I still don't think I do. However, He did bring them into my life and as time passes it's clear that it was for a reason and it's not my job to try and figure out why—my job is to just trust His plan and timing.