The Sisterhood
“The man of many friends [a friend of the world] will prove himself a bad friend, but there is a friend who sticks closer than a brother.”
-Proverbs 18:24
When I first moved to Arizona, I was so lonely. I was about twenty-seven years old and called my mom crying like a baby every night because I didn’t have any close friends. I’m a very social person and I love interacting with people. Being isolated felt like I was being punished. I spent more money than I should have by running back and forth to Houston to visit my running buddies.
Then that day came that changed my life forever.
I found myself rededicating my life to Christ at Faith Christian Center, and my life changed immensely. I was in church serving, giving, and attending faithfully. I was no longer lonely, but I was still longing to be a part of a friendship. I met my husband shortly after and when we got married, we both prayed for God to bless us with a married couple whom we can call friend. Michael, my husband, was recruited by the Detroit Lions and we were off to Michigan to start our new life together. We had only been married a month or so, and had prayed that prayer a week before the Lions called. To make a long story short, Mike met a gentleman at church in Michigan, who introduced us to his wife, they had a couple’s party, and at that party, introduced us to about 8 or 10 other married couples! Not only did God give us one friend, but MANY! God answered our prayer far above what we originally asked for! We were excited.
From that party, I formed a close friendship with a group of ladies that has lasted over five years and over a great distance. Shortly after we all met, we moved here to Texas. These ladies, most of them have been friends for many years, embraced me like a sister from the beginning. It felt like we had been friends our whole lives. In many new friendships, and old, distance would eat the best part of a friendship and leave the remains in the dust. But what about friendships that God organizes and designs?
There is a friendship that God creates that isn’t affected by distances or differences. God has set up brotherhoods and sisterhoods in the Body of Christ so that we can keep each other encouraged and uplifted. These ladies and I have bond of sisterhood that was designed by God, and is built on the teachings and principles of Jesus. We discuss biblical matters, marriage, children; what makes us sad, happy, angry, and frustrated. We take each other along on new journeys and discuss goals, health, our fears, regrets. We celebrate our victories together. Moreover, we pray for one another regularly.
Our sisterhood has stood the test of time and distance. I knew these ladies were the answer to my prayer. They encouraged me to step out on faith and use the talents that God gave me when I was chained down by the burden of fear. They talked me through it, encouraged me, prayed for me, and challenged me like a sister would. And I’m boldly declaring myself a writer and an author, although at one time, I wouldn’t have dared uttered those words. But it is who God created me to be and He did not create me to be insecure or fearful.
It is important to be able to be accountable to someone. We aren’t perfect, but our foundation, Jesus Christ, is. We always know if we are doing the right things according to what the Bible says. We are like-minded and agree that the Word of God is life; it is the final say and authority in our lives. I know that if I’m ever in danger of falling down the wrong path, my friends wouldn’t hesitate to spare my feelings or hurt my pride in telling me I’m endangering myself. My blood sister would tell me instantly if I was destining myself for a failure; and I wouldn’t expect any less from a friend whom God says sticks closer than a brother.
When God called us to move from Michigan, I was a little upset because I didn’t understand why He would call me away from people that He put in my life, the ladies I grew to love so much. To this day, I haven’t been able to establish friendships with anyone as strong as I had in that snowy state. And there have been days where I’ve been frustrated about that and wished to go back to that frigid climate. But the Lord has shown me that the distance doesn’t matter. Our friendship is committed to Him and nothing that is of God or built by Him ever falters, fails, disappears, or hurts. The love doesn’t fade. I can go where God tells me to go and do what He tells me to do without losing the sisterhood. Spiritually and in my heart, I take them with me!
I encourage my sisters [and brothers] in Christ who don’t have the right friends surrounding them, to inquire of the Lord and ask Him for friends. Ask Him to join you with a sisterhood [brotherhood] built on the foundation of Word so that you have a support system, endless laughter, a prayer partner, and listening ear. Friends that will edify, show love, and patience because we are all growing. God has created and designed the best things in this world: marriage, families, and friendships. There is a sisterhood [brotherhood] that exists in the Body of Christ that glorifies God and strives to do better each day. It is just one of the gifts He has given us to enjoy in this life. Superficial connections fail. A sisterhood [brotherhood] is one of the strongest relationships out there. And a friend from God that sticks closer than a brother is trustworthy, truly loved, and treasured.
-Proverbs 18:24
When I first moved to Arizona, I was so lonely. I was about twenty-seven years old and called my mom crying like a baby every night because I didn’t have any close friends. I’m a very social person and I love interacting with people. Being isolated felt like I was being punished. I spent more money than I should have by running back and forth to Houston to visit my running buddies.
Then that day came that changed my life forever.
I found myself rededicating my life to Christ at Faith Christian Center, and my life changed immensely. I was in church serving, giving, and attending faithfully. I was no longer lonely, but I was still longing to be a part of a friendship. I met my husband shortly after and when we got married, we both prayed for God to bless us with a married couple whom we can call friend. Michael, my husband, was recruited by the Detroit Lions and we were off to Michigan to start our new life together. We had only been married a month or so, and had prayed that prayer a week before the Lions called. To make a long story short, Mike met a gentleman at church in Michigan, who introduced us to his wife, they had a couple’s party, and at that party, introduced us to about 8 or 10 other married couples! Not only did God give us one friend, but MANY! God answered our prayer far above what we originally asked for! We were excited.
From that party, I formed a close friendship with a group of ladies that has lasted over five years and over a great distance. Shortly after we all met, we moved here to Texas. These ladies, most of them have been friends for many years, embraced me like a sister from the beginning. It felt like we had been friends our whole lives. In many new friendships, and old, distance would eat the best part of a friendship and leave the remains in the dust. But what about friendships that God organizes and designs?
There is a friendship that God creates that isn’t affected by distances or differences. God has set up brotherhoods and sisterhoods in the Body of Christ so that we can keep each other encouraged and uplifted. These ladies and I have bond of sisterhood that was designed by God, and is built on the teachings and principles of Jesus. We discuss biblical matters, marriage, children; what makes us sad, happy, angry, and frustrated. We take each other along on new journeys and discuss goals, health, our fears, regrets. We celebrate our victories together. Moreover, we pray for one another regularly.
Our sisterhood has stood the test of time and distance. I knew these ladies were the answer to my prayer. They encouraged me to step out on faith and use the talents that God gave me when I was chained down by the burden of fear. They talked me through it, encouraged me, prayed for me, and challenged me like a sister would. And I’m boldly declaring myself a writer and an author, although at one time, I wouldn’t have dared uttered those words. But it is who God created me to be and He did not create me to be insecure or fearful.
It is important to be able to be accountable to someone. We aren’t perfect, but our foundation, Jesus Christ, is. We always know if we are doing the right things according to what the Bible says. We are like-minded and agree that the Word of God is life; it is the final say and authority in our lives. I know that if I’m ever in danger of falling down the wrong path, my friends wouldn’t hesitate to spare my feelings or hurt my pride in telling me I’m endangering myself. My blood sister would tell me instantly if I was destining myself for a failure; and I wouldn’t expect any less from a friend whom God says sticks closer than a brother.
When God called us to move from Michigan, I was a little upset because I didn’t understand why He would call me away from people that He put in my life, the ladies I grew to love so much. To this day, I haven’t been able to establish friendships with anyone as strong as I had in that snowy state. And there have been days where I’ve been frustrated about that and wished to go back to that frigid climate. But the Lord has shown me that the distance doesn’t matter. Our friendship is committed to Him and nothing that is of God or built by Him ever falters, fails, disappears, or hurts. The love doesn’t fade. I can go where God tells me to go and do what He tells me to do without losing the sisterhood. Spiritually and in my heart, I take them with me!
I encourage my sisters [and brothers] in Christ who don’t have the right friends surrounding them, to inquire of the Lord and ask Him for friends. Ask Him to join you with a sisterhood [brotherhood] built on the foundation of Word so that you have a support system, endless laughter, a prayer partner, and listening ear. Friends that will edify, show love, and patience because we are all growing. God has created and designed the best things in this world: marriage, families, and friendships. There is a sisterhood [brotherhood] that exists in the Body of Christ that glorifies God and strives to do better each day. It is just one of the gifts He has given us to enjoy in this life. Superficial connections fail. A sisterhood [brotherhood] is one of the strongest relationships out there. And a friend from God that sticks closer than a brother is trustworthy, truly loved, and treasured.
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