“Dependent. Connected. Related.” The True Meaning of Sisterhood

One of the things that I am very clear about these days is that we are all going through some kind of life storm, or trauma. True that we may be experiencing these challenges on different levels and in different areas of our lives, but the older I get the more I am starting to understand that this journey called life is only doable when we have others along the way to help, love, support, encourage and pray with and for us.

In this redefining and renewing season of my own life, and in the life of the iask sisterhood, I have been blessed as of late to experience true dependence, connection, and relationship with my fellow Christians and with some of my dearest friends and family members. I can tell you of all the gifts I have been given in my life none has been more rich and rewarding then feeling truly "connected" to my fellow human beings on such a deeply spiritual and meaningful way.

In our individualistic culture, we often shy away from and lament against being connected with others. We see them as an annoyance, a bother, a drain on our own souls. Yet, for those of us who call ourselves "Christian" and many of us do--if we subscribe to this belief--we have it wrong. We only need look at the examples laid out for us in the Bible of how the 1st century believers lived out their faith. The model for us the meaning of interdependence, connection, and relationship.

A friend said on this blog a couple of weeks ago that LOVE, is a VERB. He was absolutely correct! When I think of sisterhood--I think of love in action. Words are cheap if they are not demonstrated in how we treat and interact with one another. A few moments ago I just got off my Monday AM prayer call with my best friend and my mom. We all shared how tired we are physically and emotionally with all we have on our plates. All three of us are major "givers" it is who we are--"reflex" as I call it--but giving can be hard, draining, and it can leave us feeling empty and depressed even if we are not likewise poured back into.

That is where the model of the 1st Century church comes in and shows us how it should be done. The first century Christians (see Acts 2: 42-47) voluntarily shared their resources and willingly invested their hard earned money in the lives of others. They met in the Temple regularly, they prayed together often, they met in each other's homes, fellowshipped, broke bread, and if need be they fed, housed, and clothes other believers. Don't miss this sisters--being a Christian, a sister, is to be a "keeper" of your fellow humans.

The lives of believers should be intertwined, and interconnected. Not set apart, not isolated, and not caught up in being a "lone star" Christian. My point is this: Sisters, believers, Christians alike are all to draw life from each other. They share in each other's joys and sorrows. They show love not by empty words, trite sayings, pats on the back, or by keeping a "distance". They work it out in love, they go the extra mile, they stay close in trouble, and they rebuild and pour back into one another. In short, they are like family to each other. The family of God.

Be blessed and have a great week!

If I have not love, I am nothing!

Sophia A. Nelson