The beauty of sisterhood is the natural solidarity it encompasses. It is like one long conversation with your best girlfriend, plus the bonus of shared genetics and blood. I know that some of you may view those shared family genes as a negative for friendship, but I find that it only enhances the bond. Sisters are friends that never lose touch, move on, or give up. They are not allowed to. Even when you come to differences of opinion (and we certainly do in our family!) you are able to see beyond that discussion, see beyond that moment, and look into the heart of who they really are.
A sister knows the person behind the voice, and understands the reason underneath the emotion because she has the same blood running in her veins! Plus, there is the added bonus of sharing practically every childhood memory with her, so that you have an established professional opinion of her psyche. Yes, feelings can be hurt, and misunderstandings can arise, but it's not easy to continue to hold a grudge when you know she will be present at every family function you attend!
Thankfully, we don't only have the benefit of genes on our side. In our family, we are also bonded by the matchless blood of Christ and so we are "blood sisters" twice over. It 's certainly a winning combination because it enables us to love to a capacity that we are unable to on our own. A natural sister might relish holding a grudge or seeking revenge to a wrong suffered, but a spiritual sister knows she must "let all bitterness and wrath and anger and clamor and slander be put away from [her], along with all malice." Redeemed sisters must be "kind to one another, tender-hearted, forgiving one another, just as God in Christ has forgiven[them]." (Ephesians 4:31-32 NASB)
It is not an easy undertaking, and it certainly doesn't come from our own human strength, but they key comes from the last part of the verse: "just as God in Christ has forgiven." If God, (who is holy, perfect, good, righteous) can forgive me (who is sinful, guilty, hateful, proud) how can I not extend forgiveness to my sister? It is all through Him and from Him, nothing in our own power.
I am hoping this blog achieves an even greater bond between my sisters and I. We are now living in four separate states, spread across the country, so I look forward to our connecting in this way. More importantly, however, I hope that this blog will show you that there is a family, a heavenly family led by a heavenly Father, that you can belong to. In that family you will grow, connect and love in ways you never thought possible. God is the One who does the transforming work to change hearts and knit them together in love. I pray you will see Him in our words and that He will be glorified by what we post. And may you feel a big, sisterly embrace as you join our conversation. We'd love that.
A sister knows the person behind the voice, and understands the reason underneath the emotion because she has the same blood running in her veins! Plus, there is the added bonus of sharing practically every childhood memory with her, so that you have an established professional opinion of her psyche. Yes, feelings can be hurt, and misunderstandings can arise, but it's not easy to continue to hold a grudge when you know she will be present at every family function you attend!
Thankfully, we don't only have the benefit of genes on our side. In our family, we are also bonded by the matchless blood of Christ and so we are "blood sisters" twice over. It 's certainly a winning combination because it enables us to love to a capacity that we are unable to on our own. A natural sister might relish holding a grudge or seeking revenge to a wrong suffered, but a spiritual sister knows she must "let all bitterness and wrath and anger and clamor and slander be put away from [her], along with all malice." Redeemed sisters must be "kind to one another, tender-hearted, forgiving one another, just as God in Christ has forgiven[them]." (Ephesians 4:31-32 NASB)
It is not an easy undertaking, and it certainly doesn't come from our own human strength, but they key comes from the last part of the verse: "just as God in Christ has forgiven." If God, (who is holy, perfect, good, righteous) can forgive me (who is sinful, guilty, hateful, proud) how can I not extend forgiveness to my sister? It is all through Him and from Him, nothing in our own power.
I am hoping this blog achieves an even greater bond between my sisters and I. We are now living in four separate states, spread across the country, so I look forward to our connecting in this way. More importantly, however, I hope that this blog will show you that there is a family, a heavenly family led by a heavenly Father, that you can belong to. In that family you will grow, connect and love in ways you never thought possible. God is the One who does the transforming work to change hearts and knit them together in love. I pray you will see Him in our words and that He will be glorified by what we post. And may you feel a big, sisterly embrace as you join our conversation. We'd love that.
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