The theme of last week's content was this: “I am my sister’s keeper!” To understand "keeper" in this context, check out these definitions:
- cause to continue in a specified condition, position, course, etc.
- retain one's place in or on, especially against opposition or difficulty.
If a friend is in trouble, you can help her stay on course, keep her position or place in life, and keep her in a condition of peace, especially against opposition. Wow! Thank you to those many friends who’ve walked through this season of life with me! I know it has not been easy, but you have remained so committed to being there for me, and I am here for you - anytime!
This week, I’m looking at ways to “Be there for her.” I have spent the last year in the depths of grief and conviction regarding relationships in my life. This has really been “rock bottom” stuff for me. In other words, I have been digging deep to find answers to my relationship issues. I’ll be honest, the answers were not really what I wanted to hear most of the time, but I wanted truth and wisdom in learning how to do things differently going forward so that I do not suffer like I have, nor cause others to suffer. I’m on a quest to share what I’ve discovered. So, I hope you “stay tuned” and are blessed by it. My first single from the new record is a song called Desiree. It will be released on Valentine’s Day. The song is about my first real friendship when I was around seven years old. In looking into the purity of that childhood friendship, I have come to see and understand my mistakes over the years in new and crystal clear ways. I’m displaying the profound truths I’ve faced by looking into three realms that influence relationships.
The Heavenly Realm
From a heavenly realm perspective of friendship, warring and ministering angels are constantly doing the work of the Lord. (Hebrews 1:14) If a friend comes to mind suddenly, I consider it a prompt from a ministering angel sent to me by God or from the Holy Spirit. I’m making a commitment to then call that friend when this happens. I don't just want to text, but actually call her. I’ll ask her if she'd like to meet for coffee in a private place where she can openly share her heart. I’ll celebrate what she is celebrating, grieve what she is grieving, and give her hope where she has become disappointed and hopeless. I might even send her a handwritten letter of encouragement afterward. I want to make this my selfless mission in friendship. What has hindered and kept me from doing this? KEEP READING…
The Flesh/Soul Realm
In the flesh/soul realm, I have often found spirits or attitudes of selfishness, laziness, busyness, and even pettiness all working to keep me from reaching out in sisterly love. One tough truth that I have finally had to face is that most of those feelings have been caused by exhaustion, chronic fatigue, and burnout that I have brought on myself through my lifelong codependent behaviors. I must remain intentional and ask God for help when these feelings are present. There is an important balance that I have to strike in life, as well as considering my introverted personality and related needs, such as having enough “recharging” time. At times, I’ve been pretty good about keeping that balance, but I have lacked in being more intentional in the ways I reach out to my friends. I’m excited about improving this in my life. How am I going to do that? KEEP READING…
The Word/Spirit Realm
Proverbs says, "Do not forsake your friend." (Proverbs 27:10). It also says that to have friends, you must show yourself friendly - and there is a friend that sticks closer than a [sister]. (Proverbs 18:24). In the Word/Spirit realm, there is a powerful resource that I often forget about, or at least underestimate. Sometimes, I know I am needed as a friend, but I am fighting feelings of selfishness, laziness, busyness, pettiness, or even conflict with that friend. I’m going to turn on my favorite worship music or just stop what I’m doing and worship the Lord for a while and read the Word. In His presence, the Holy Spirit comes and fills me up again. Any time I do this, I experience this incredible presence washing over my entire being, rinsing those negative feelings away completely and restoring His unconditional love for others within me. I love that feeling because I love to love people! Worship is such a powerful gift!
I hope this inspires you, blesses you, or helps you in some small way. If it does, I'd be so honored if you shared it with a friend! :)
Love to all,
Jill
P.S. Check out the brand new podcast. I tell a fantastically fun story in the first episode!