August 30, 2010

And it came to pass, when he had made an end of speaking unto Saul, that the soul of Jonathan was knit with the soul of David, and Jonathan loved him as his own soul. 1 Samuel 18:1 (KJV)

I've always loved the story of Jonathan and David's friendship and recently when I read in 1 Samuel, that part about their "souls" struck me. It says "the soul of Jonathan was knit with the soul of David".

You know, I hear so much about "soul sisters", "soul mates", and what we consider those "deep friendships". I began thinking about my relationships and friendships with other Christian sisters in the Lord.

I think the friendships between Christian sisters can be so much more than what the world can offer. Talk about soul sisters! Our hearts and souls belong to the Lord so we can have wonderful, encouraging, deep and meaningful relationships like the friendship of Jonathan and David.

Those Christian women in my life and who I've known over the years are some of the people who've encouraged me and motivated me the most.

S---Silly

When thinking about my sisters in the Lord, what sticks out the most to me? Well, I have some sisters that are just silly. Not a serious point to start with but I think it's so important that our friends bring some laughter and a little humor to our lives.

I know some sisters that just make me laugh and sometimes I just need that laughter so much.

A merry heart doeth good like a medicine: but a broken spirit drieth the bones. Proverbs 17:22 (KJV)

I think part of it has to do with the joy in their hearts. The Lord gives us that joy and sometimes I think it bubbles out of some people more than others. I love being around people like that, don't you?

I especially love being around my sisters in the Lord. I also love the fact that they allow me to be a little silly myself sometimes.

I---Inspiring

I love those sisters in Christ that inspire. They make me want to do more, do better, and sometimes just get involved in something. Sometimes it's not by what they say but what they do.

It might not even be an inspiration to do something spiritual. It just might be by how they are organized or even how they keep their house.

I need all that inspiration for my spiritual life that my sisters give to me as well. I need to be encouraged to love Christ more, read the Bible more, pray more, and all those things from my sisters that inspire me to be a better Christian.

S---Strong

I've had many sisters in Christ that seem to have such strength. So many Christian women I've known and met over the years have had some real struggles and heartache in their lives.

I always think that mine seem so small and trivial when I see what some women go through. I appreciate all that strength they have found in the Lord to just keep going on and on and I love it when they share some of that strength with me.

T---Talkative

I couldn't pass up how much we women like to talk. It's not a bad thing. It's one of those good things. When we don't talk and share, there's something missing from our lives. Talking about things out-loud with our sisters helps us to cope.

Communication is so important. How can we fellowship without talking and sharing? When we share our joys and struggles with each other, it builds us up. And what comes along with that is my sisters listen to me as well.

E---Encouraging

Praise the Lord! I love it when my sisters in the Lord encourage me. I, like everyone else have days that I'm down and there's nothing better than when a friend and sister in Christ comes along and cheers me up, perhaps gives me a pep talk, and brings me that encouragement that I am so in need of at that moment.

Using people in our lives to encourage us is one of the wonderful ways in which God works.

R---Real

One of the things I love about my sisters in the Lord is that they are real. I need some real friends to keep me grounded. Have you ever been around superficial people?

It makes me so uncomfortable to be around people like that. I need my friends to be real and genuine and that's what other sisters in Christ are to me.

S---Saved

One thing that all of my sisters in the Lord have in common is that they know the Lord. They've been saved by the power of Christ's blood. Isn't it great that our sisters in Christ are all in one family? We all have our Heavenly Father in common and that makes our sister relationship special.

Final Thoughts

I trust I'll be that soul sister that my sisters in Christ need around them. I really don't know what I'd do without my sisters in the Lord. I don't really think it's all about being good "soul sisters" as much as it is about being good for each other's souls.

My sisters in the Lord encourage me and keep me grounded by their faith, friendships and love.

So, sister, have you been good for another sister's soul lately?

Copyright ©2010 Julia Bettencourt

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