My dear sweet sister in Christ, Amy, who is one of my favorite people in the world wrote an amazing post for you all of you to read about sisters and friendship while I am away this week.
If you ever have met that person in blog world that you instantly connect with, it is her. Her boldness honesty and passion is refreshing in today's world.
LOVE YOU AMY !!!!
Check out here place on the web - HERE
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I am so honored to be posting on Melissa Jo's blog today. It's so fitting that this post is on the importance of sisters, because that's exactly what she has become to me.
What's the difference between a sister, and a friend?
A sister is someone who has been adopted into the family of Christ, just as you have. Someone who has made the decision to surrender her life to Christ, just as you have. Someone who is walking the same walk, and fighting the same fight, even if it looks different from your walk or your fight at any given time.
I have hesitation on writing about this topic, because I don't, for one second, want to sound like I am saying sisters are better than friends. Or, that friendships aren't important. Please, please, please don't take that message away from this post.
It is sooo important to have those friendships with people who don't know Christ. It's important to make those friendships strong, put in effort and time into forming that relationship, so that those people can see how your life is different.
And those people who don't know Christ? They will teach you just as much as a sister who does. They will be there for you just as much as a sister who does.
So friends are very important. But today, I am talking about why sisters are important. And that's an entirely different topic.
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So, why are sisters important?
I spent the majority of my life without sisters. I went to church on occasion, and when I did, I went alone. I didn't talk to people about my faith. I told myself this was because I thought it was a personal thing. But really, I was afraid of offending people, and even more afraid of what people would think of me being a Christian.
What changed? The only thing I can point to is Christ changing my heart. Calling me into community, and showing me that fellowship is essential to walking a strong walk of faith.
The difference between a sister and a friend, is a sister will hold you accountable. A friend will check up on you to see how you're doing, while a sister will check up on you to see how
your walk with Jesus is going.
And sometimes, it's not so fun to have someone holding you accountable. Sometimes, you'd rather not have someone checking up on your walk with Christ.
At least that was me for the majority of my life.
But, I learned that I was wrong. I learned that this accountability is exactly what helps Jesus change my heart.
It's this accountability that speaks truth into my life, sometimes, when I least want to hear it.
And I'm here to tell you that having sisters to hold you accountable and walk along side you will bring you closer to Christ. And isn't that the goal here?
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A real sister will never judge you for your shortcomings. She may want to, because let's face it, we're human and we judge all the time. But, she will hold strong to the fact that there is no condemnation in the family of Christ.
So, she will take what you reveal to her about your shortcomings, and point you right back to the only One who can help you, Jesus.
She will pray with you during struggles, and praise with you during victories.
Sisters are important because the love you share with a sister, is really, the love you both share with Christ. He expresses His love through the people around us, and a sister will pour out His love on you.
Melissa Jo, thank you for being a sister to me. I appreciate it more than I could explain. Love you, girl!
