ImpactSample

Don’t use fake interest in a person’s spouse or kids to get them on your side! Paul wrote to the Romans, “Let love be without hypocrisy” (Romans 12:9). That means we love them, whether people respond the way we want them to or not. Do you think people can discern our motives? Some can’t, but many can. When they sense we’re insincere in our interest, we’ve enflamed deep suspicion toward us. But when they know we’re genuinely interested in them and their families, we connect on a much deeper level. That’s certainly true for me. When people communicate that they care about Jenni and the boys, it touches my heart. Value the spouse and children simply because your key influencers value them. Value them when they’re with the key influencer and when they’re not. If the Holy Spirit whispers to you that you’re crossing the line into manipulation, confess it, trust God to forgive, and ask Him to show you more of His immeasurable love, so that’s what flows out of you. You don’t have to wait for a phone call to have special times with your key influencers. You can create them, but you have to be intentional. They don’t just happen, and they aren’t limited to weddings, funerals, and birthdays. Not all moments are the same. Some are more important than others, and a few are far more important. When we’re there for people in these pivotal times, they’ll never forget it. But the other side is just as true: If we’re not there, they won’t forget that either. Every key influencer has a few events and situations that are ten times more important than any others. Know this. Be there. It matters.