Sisters

For there is no friend like a sister
In calm or stormy weather;
To cheer one on the tedious way,
To fetch one if one goes astray,
To lift one if one totters down,
To strengthen whilst one stands.

- Christina Rossetti

I love my sisters. 

They are one of the greatest earthly gifts that God has given me. 

Kindred hearts, true friends, lovers of Jesus, my soul is bound to theirs, even  to joyful eternity-

And I am thankful for the treasure that God has given me in them. 

My sister, Londie . . . 

My older and wiser sibling, the one who I look up to and can always count on for practical advice. 

The mother of two little ones . . . devoted, dedicated, creative homeschooling Mom--who pours all of her heart and her soul into her work and never goes halfway. 

I love my Londie . . . she is the one who I tagged along with when I was younger, the one I constantly annoyed by attempting to creep into her bed at night when I was afraid of the dark, the one whose clothes I always borrowed (and thank the Lord that she had better taste than me! :-)). 

We sang together. Her sweet, rich voice blending with mine; her confidence giving me strength and prodding me on. 

To sing--and to live for Jesus. 

I have always looked up to Londie, my lovely artistic, winsome, wet-humored friend who lives for Jesus, and Whose strength and light shine brightly through her. 

Whose heart touches all that she does and whose creativity sparkles through all of her work. 

My sister is, I think, above all else, someone who perseveres, even when all of the odds are against her, even when the way seems "shut," even when she faces adversity. 

I know that, by the grace of God, my Londie will not give up, 

Will never give up. 

And her dogged perseverance has always inspired me--

Never give up. 

And then there's Lishy--Alicia--my younger sister by 3 years,  petite and fiery-hearted, passionate about all that she does and says and lives for. 

I can always count on Alicia to tell me the truth. 

Because she doesn't mince words and doesn't make up an excuse and won't offer a half-truth. 

Conscience steel-hard and yet her heart beats soft and gentle beneath. 

Her words, sometimes hard, always wrap around the freeing, beautiful truth and the hope of living righteously before Christ . . . 

In spirit and in truth. 

My Lishy--

Is sensitive--towards animals, towards other's suffering--

The one who has walked with me through deep waters, through our family's poverty, through persecution. 

She is the one who I know will pray for me, who has prayed for me when I could not pray. 

Who loves to read more than talking and who writes the most beautiful, thought-provoking stories that make me cry.

Who reminds me constantly through her words and through her example, 

Press on. 

I love my sisters. 

Two women who love the Lord with all of their hearts, whose lives are an inspiration to me, who help me to persevere and to press on in my walk with the Lord. 

How grateful I am--

And so I thank the Lord--

For this sweet gift of my sisters.  

You might find me on these link-ups:

Strangers and Pilgrims on Earth, The Modest Mom, What Joy is Mine, Yes They Are All Ours, Missional Call, A Mama's Story, Mom's the Word, Rich Faith Rising, Time Warp Wife, Cornerstone Confessions, Mom's Morning Coffee, So Much at Home, Raising Homemakers, Hope in Every Season, A Wise Woman Builds Her Home, Woman to Woman Ministries, Whole-Hearted Home, A Soft Gentle Voice, My Daily Walk in His Grace, Messy Marriage, My Teacher's Name is Mama, The Charm of Home, Graced Simplicity, Children Are A Blessing, Mittenstate Sheep and Wool, Imparting Grace, Preparedness Mama, A Look at the Book, Essential Thing Devotions, Count My Blessings, Beauty Observed, Christian Mommy Blogger, Renewed Daily,