Sisters

Irving Berlin’s "White Christmas" has long been one of my favorite movies. Growing up, I always swooned as Bing Crosby and Rosemary Clooney sat at the piano singing, "Count Your Blessings." And later in the movie, I waited with anticipation for that moment when Betty would realize that Bob wasn’t a self-serving, arrogant jerk who was out to make a buck, but a selfless, gracious man who desired to honor General Waverly. Misunderstandings behind them and forgiveness granted, they’d live happily ever after.

But I love that movie for another reason, too. It’s the relationship between sisters Betty and Judy. There are few women alive who not only are well-acquainted with their famous song and dance number, but have tried reenacting it themselves. Go ahead, admit it! Sing it with me:

"Sisters, Sisters, there were never such devoted sisters..."

As a teenager, I was enamored with that kind of relationship. You see, I don’t have any sisters of my own (though I do have one amazing "little" brother that I wouldn’t trade for any sister in the world). But God knows my needs, and He’s graciously blessed me with faithful, godly girlfriends; sisters not by birth, but by heart.

Hardly a day passes when I don’t find myself newly grateful for the gifts of these friends. I cherish their unique make-ups...their giftedness, talents, leanings, and tendencies. What joy and vibrancy they bring to my life! They cause me to laugh and dream and think and reconsider. They inspire me with their unconditional love!

I praise God for our commitment to one another. It’s proven that our friendship is genuine. Proverbs 17:17 says "A friend loves at all times." This is true on both the mountaintops and in the valleys. As sisters, we’ve cried together in times of trial and rejoiced, laughed, and "yee-haa’d" together in times of celebration. I treasure the fact that these precious sisters accept me and love me in spite of me. There’s no need to pretend or put on some kind of show. Realness is such a cherished gift!

My sisters continually spur me on and challenge me in all of life. I was just telling my husband that when "the girls" are together, there’s no husband-bashing or complaining. In fact, as we lounge around and talk about our families, we give glory to God for the amazing husbands He’s given us. We thank God for the way He’s actively at work within our homes. Tears fill my eyes as I hear my dear friends talking about their love for their families. And by the time we are through talking, we’re eagerly longing to get home to our dear husbands and children! I’m so glad that their lives encourage me to love my husband and boys!

There are so many aspects of our friendship that I value and hold in high esteem. Yet one of the sweetest is when we gather together to study God’s Word. What a joy and privilege it is to bow our hearts in prayer. How I pray that we’ll continually remind one another of the promises of our great God. I pray that in our weakness and throughout the valleys, we’ll continually point to God’s strength, sufficiency, and faithfulness. I pray that we’ll always encourage, pray for, and desire God’s best in one another.

Thank you, Father God, for binding our hearts together. Thank you for my treasured sisters.