We have a Conference coming up. Maybe you’ve heard of it? Free To Be The Change (Check it out here). Part of that theme is “Sisterhood” and the fact that we are sisters in Christ and we need to take care of each other. But what does “sisterhood” mean? It’s a term that’s tossed around and can tend to make you feel all fuzzy inside when you have a “sisterhood” moment. I watch Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants and see a group of girlfriends that come from the same world, are so different, are pursuing different things, but have one commonality: a pair of jeans that fits them all.
I don’t think it’s a noun, but an action verb. What does sisterhood really look like when it’s practiced? What is the common point that creates a “sisterhood”?
Recently, my husband and I found ourselves in our second move in the first 6 months of our marriage. I had high expectations of the “family” element when we entered the basement of a friend’s home. I had no idea that God would blow those expectations out of the water and what would emerge would be this sisterhood and brotherhood community that we have experienced.
We’ve shared meals together, we’ve shared life stories, we’ve prayed together, we’ve gone on double dates. I can’t tell you how healthy it’s been for my marriage to be in the company of an older generation with a healthy marriage, ministry experience, and life experience.
Within the first 45 days of living together, both experienced unexpected trials that have brought us to our knees, literally.
We started a journey of Bible Memorization the week before we were both struck with these situations and verse 1 on the list was I Corinthians 10:13, “No temptation has seized you except what is common to man. And God is faithful; he will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear. But when you are tempted, he will also provide a way out so that you can stand up under it.” And verse 2 was James 1:2-4, “Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters,whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance. Let perseverance finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything.”
It’s amazing how we are reminded that God is faithful and knows where we’ll be 30 days from now, and places “divine moments” in your path that are reminders of that overwhelming faithfulness. Even when we decide to memorize scripture together, that “divine moment” becomes God-lead scripture that provides wisdom and comfort in the midst of temptation, pain, and trial so we’re able to stand up underneath it. WOW!
So we decided to “consider it pure joy” and with tears streaming down our cheeks, we got up and danced the Electric Slide together to the gospel tune, “In The Middle Of It” by Isaac Carree (Watch the Music Video Here).
It was an epiphany moment for me. This is true Sisterhood.
When our commonality is Jesus; when we do life together; when we build each other up in our walk with the Lord; when we pray for each other; when we encourage each other in the midst of trial- THAT is Sisterhood, ladies.
So before we experience our full “sisterhood” on March 30-31, 2012, be challenged to put sisterhood to action and find a Pastor’s wife that seems to need some girl time, or a woman who you’ve noticed seems neglected, or an elderly lady with little family, or a college student who needs a home-cooked meal, or a family who is going through a tough time. Be the change today.
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