God has not called us to go through life alone.
Looking out my den window I noticed two of my neighbors puttering slowly down the street. Ernestine, with her bald head snuggled in a woolen cap, held tightly to Patti’s supporting arm. Patti’s chestnut hair, just two inches long, shone like a victor’s crown of a cancer survivor.
The previous year, Patti discovered she had breast cancer. For three months she endured chemotherapy followed by seven weeks of radiation. As God would have it, her final treatment fell on Thanksgiving Day. Yes, she had much to be thankful for—a full life, a loving husband, and Ernestine Nevils, her new next-door neighbor who had moved in two years before.
During Patti’s cancer treatment, Ernestine was right by her side, an extension of Jesus’ hands and feet providing love, encouragement, and support. One year after her final radiation treatment, Patti was given the opportunity to return the kindness to Ernestine. A trip to the doctor revealed that Ernestine had lymphoma, cancer of the lymph nodes. Now Patti was the nurturer. She took Ernestine to her first chemotherapy session and explained what to expect. She told Ernestine what to eat, where to have a wig made, and how to deal with depression.
God has not called us to go through life alone. All through the Bible he brought people together for mutual encouragement and support. One day the angel, Gabriel, gave Mary some incredible news, “The Holy Spirit will come on you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you. So the holy one to be born will be called the Son of God (Luke 1:35 NIV).
And what were the next words out of Gabriel’s holy mouth? “Even Elizabeth your relative is going to have a child in her old age, and she who was said to be unable to conceive is in her sixth month. For no word from God will ever fail.” (Luke 1:36-37 NIV).
Does it seem odd to you that right after telling Mary the startling news about her unusual pregnancy, he told her Elizabeth, her relative and friend, was is in a similar situation? Not to me. God knew Mary would need a friend.
Immediately, Mary packed her bags and went to see Elizabeth. When she walked into her cousin’s home, Elizabeth prophesied over her, affirmed her, and encouraged her. Not only that, Mary saw by example what to expect with her own labor and delivery.
Oh sister, God knows that we need godly girlfriends to walk alongside us during difficult days. Click & Tweet! It’s even better when that friend has experienced a similar struggle in her own life. As Paul wrote, “Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of compassion and the God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our troubles, so that we can comfort those in any trouble with the comfort we ourselves receive from God. (2 Corinthians 1:3-4)
Mary had Elizabeth.
Ruth had Naomi.
Paul had Barnabas.
Shadrack had Meshack and Abednego.
Our key verse today tells us one reason having a godly friend is so important: “Two are better than one because they have a good return for their labor. For if either of them falls, the one will lift up his companion. But woe to the one who falls when there is not another to lift him up…A cord of three strands is not quickly torn apart” (Ecclesiastes 4:9-12 NIV).
A cord of three strands. Me, you, and Jesus. That’s a strong cord right there.
As I watched Patti and Ernestine make their way down the street that chilly November day, I whispered a prayer of thanksgiving for Girlfriends in God… friends with whom we can be His hands and feet when one is too weak to walk unassisted, His strong arm when a burden is too heavy to bear alone, and His voice when a friend has forgotten the words to the song in her heart. That’s a strong cord right there.
Dear Lord, I thank you that You designed women to live in relationship with each other. Open my eyes to see someone who needs a dose of Your love today and give me the wisdom to know how to be an extension of Your grace. In Jesus’ Name, Amen
Who is one woman who has been a strong strand in your cord? Consider writing her an email of thanks today. Honor her today by clicking on comment below and saying, “I am thankful for ________.
The best way to have a friend is to be a friend. Is there someone you know who is struggling with life that God is nudging you to help?
Sign up for the 5-day Taming the Tongue Challenge and let’s get our words under control!
And check out Sharon’s best-selling book and Bible study guide, The Power of a Woman’s Words: How the Words You Speak Shape the Lives of Others
Comments 45
I have a friend like this . God has blessed me with many but this friend is above all others, Trish. She has been by my side during my breast cancer diagnosis , treatment , surgeries , radiation and now a new chemo drug. I’m blessed to be healthy and strong. I give all the praise to God.
God has blessed me with a few good friends like this. I thank him for them always. I’m there for them too.
Hallelu Yah!
I am thankful for my sister, Christy. She was the strength for me when I could no longer hold myself up during the loss of our brother to cancer & then to our sweet Daddy due to an horrific car accident that also took an Aunt & Uncle. Thank you Lord, for my sister & her quiet strength. 🙏💚
Thank u Lord for my friends Trevor Stephanie Wanda n my husband Roy
I am so very thankful for my mom, who passed away in 2009. She was my rock, my teacher, my best friend and still today, I miss her more then words can explain. Mom was such a wonderful person, had a beautiful smile and everyone loved her. She was an excellent cook, always told the truth, even if it hurt and was so giving, even though she did not have much to give. She would help anyone and she did help so many people, including myself. She experienced a lot of hurt and she would guide me along my way so that I would not get hurt. She was extremely smart, not book smart but common sense smart and she shared that with others. I carry her with me, in my heart and mind, everyday! I think of her everyday and I remember the wisdom that she would give me…..but most of all the unconditional love that she gave to me! I miss you mom and I love you dearly! Dian Seay, you will never be forgotten.
Oh my goodness, I could easily see my own Mom in your description of your lovely Mother. My Mom went to be with the Lord in 2014, hardly a day goes by that I don’t think of her and miss her. What a joy, though, to know I will see her again one day in God’s presence.
❤️
I pray for Sherri. Keep her strong and let her listen to you Holy Spirit for your guidance. She is grieving the loss of her husband because she misses giving him her love. Help her to focus on their great life they had together and that she will be with him again. In Jesus name I pray.
No one knows this better than I. Being a part of a ladies group who text each day, Zoom once a week, and now rarely face to face meet, I am able to survive the discovery of my husband’s 40 years of sexual addiction that he was able to hide from me our entire married life. God bless my “Group.”
My heart goes out to you, the betrayal is astronomical and gut wrenching pain though…God!!! He has pulled me higher than before and I am grateful for all lessons learned as well! I pray that from our experiences and pain that we can help others through their circumstances and we can be a blessing and give God Glory for it all!! Amen
My mom is my is the friend I go to to give me strength. And because of her, I now have a relationship with JESUS. I’m so very grateful for my mother!✝️
I have been reading your book and I am enjoying it so much! I know it will be one I go to over and over! Thanks so much for sharing your knowledge and experience and understanding with all of us who read it!
I’m thankful for Tonya and Andrea
This hurts! I’ve prayed for years for a friend like this – someone to lean on when things are tough, someone to rejoice with when things are good! I’ve had no one in many years. I don’t know why God has not answered my prayer. I’m going through a difficult season right now, and I have been so alone!
Hi Rachel,
Please email me if you want enjoythesimple@outlook.com
Misty
I feel the same way. I will pray for you and please pray for me.
I’m going through the same thing! It is painful to hear that many of the women here have people in their lives to lean on. I’ve prayed and asked God to help me find a Christian friend, but nothing so far. I also am going through a REALLY HARD SEASON and just don’t know what to do, and very lonely.
Rachel, you are not alone. I don’t know where you are, or who you are, but let’s chat sometimes and get to know each other a little. I’m Cynthia and I live in Moreno Valley Ca.
Rachel,
Your message touched my heart. Each time I lost that special person to whom I went for comfort and advice (my mom, my aunt, my mother-in-law), God gave me someone else to lean on. But the last one, my mother-in-law, was a woman of God who taught me the true meaning of seeking a personal relationship with God. When she passed, I asked “God who do I have now?” God whispered in my ear, “I am all you have ever needed. You’ve had me all along.” I still miss those women, but I’m never alone.
Pamela – thank you for the wonderful reminder! There are many of us who “feel” alone in our journey, but knowing He is with us makes it so much easier.
Rachel, I feel your heart ache on this. I have been praying for true friends, Godly women who will be my tribe. That we can celebrate the good times and support and comfort each other during the hard times. So far nothing. It is really hard to go through the ups and downs of life without the support of true friends. Circumstances are very difficult for me as well right now. I have felt utterly alone for too long.
I am so grateful for my friend, Rhonda. She has been my running and walking partner, my confidant, my support system, but most of all, my sister in Christ. She has listened to me on difficult days and cheered for me on good days. She never judges and always shows wisdom and strength. I am so grateful that God placed her in my life. Together we are Prayer Warriors that support each other. Thank you, God, for this precious gift of friendship.
I am thankful for Carol, Arlene and Natalie. Thank you Heavenly Father for giving me these women to support me during this season of change, growth and waiting.
I have had friends like that. Now…..I am alone, no family, no friends. I have prayed and asked God to bring a godly friend, but so far….nothing. I go to church, I volunteer to serve, but still….I am alone. I am married and my husband is not a Christian, I didn’t think that would keep me from having a godly friend…..I had friends once….we had such a great bond. One died, and the other is blessed with the reconnection to their family. Me…..I sit alone….thank God I have my Yorkies…and my husband, tho we do nothing. What have I done that God thinks I should be so alone….
Hi Eileen,
You can email me, enjoythesimple@outlook.com
Misty
Eileen, we all need someone to walk through life with. Let’s connect. I’m Cynthia at thecreatorsgarden@yahoo.com.
Bless you Eileen, God is your special friend too!! I have no idea where you live but I’m in Ontario Canada, If your wanting to have someone to talk with and share here is my contact; t.kgreidanus@gmail.com
I have 6 incredible girlfriends, Wylaine, Tammy, Kelley, Lucy, DeAnna, and Lora that fit perfectly the descriptions mentioned. We are praying group of friends who are constantly holding each other up and praying for each other and the needs in our lives. We also earnestly pray for our kids. I am so thankul for this group of girls and who they have been such a blessing to me in so many ways.
I am thankful for my dear friend Sherry who earnestly lifts my prayers to the Lord!!! What a friend is that? Thank you Sherry and thank you for sharing such uplifting devotions.
Often that special connection is a long distance one. I am thankful for Linda Stubblefield Pugh. She is a strong Christian, an encourager, listener and sympathizer whose sisterhood has made my life brighter in spite of the miles between us.
I had a friend like that. I lost her two weeks ago, she was my sister. There were quite a few miles between each other but we were always there for each other. God blessed me with a wonderful sister and friend.
Oh Kathy my heart goes out to you, so sorry for your loss!!! Sisters by blood who are In Christ are few and far between…Bless your time of mourning and healing! If you ever want another girlfriend In God I’ll be here to listen/talk;
t.kgreidanus@gmail.com
I am thankful for my friend and my First Lady Mary. I’ve literally known her all of my saved life since I was 18 and over the last few years God has brought our relationship so much closer. She is like my Sister and my Mother and my Leader all rolled into one. It’s such a blessing to have someone that I know I can share anything with and it will stay right there. I know the only place she is taking it is to the Lord in Prayer. I thank God for her.
My sister lost her husband to liver failure just last week. They fought this battle for 3 years. They were married for close to 30 years. She is lost even though she knows he is out of pain now and in God’s arms. She hasn’t had any close friends but close family. She pushed everyone away that didn’t speak life to her husband’s battle.
After his death, every single person that was pushed away, has shown up to help her realize she has never been alone nor will our God allow her to be. I am so thankful for the support of particular family members who have really showed up and are walking this pain out with her. God is blessing her in so many ways and I am so grateful for it. A big shout out to Melissa, Katy, Faith, Natalia, and Brittany. God is using them to be the strength that my sister can’t find yet. I am thankful to know God will never leave her nor forsake her and I am thankful to everyone who has been in the background praying and supporting them/us that we don’t even know about. May God bless each and everyone of them!
I am thankful for Judy and Kendra.
I am grateful for my friend, Cynthia. We have been best friends for 25 years. 21 years ago she was with me every step of the way when I went through cancer. Over the past several years I have walked alongside her as she fought her own battle with cancer.
This morning I said goodby to Cynthia as she lay sedated in her bed at hospice. I am heartbroken. She was Godmother to my daughter and I am Godmother to 2 of her grandsons. We have always considered ourselves family. A few weeks ago she told me that Even though she never had a biological sister, I have been like a sister to her.
We knew we loved each other very much and demonstrated that in words and deeds. We shared every important occasion in each others lives. As I mourn the friend I have lost I feel blessed that I had a deep friendship like that and am grateful that Cynthia taught me what it was like to have and to be a true friend. Cynthia was a woman of deep faith and leaves this world with a legacy of love.
I wish for everyone of you that you have a friend like Cynthia in your life.
I understand! It is so hard!
I am thankful for the Godly girlfriends that God has placed in my life who are selfless and loving. I pray that can be that strong friend they need when they are weak.
Thank you Lord for my cousin who is also my friend and surely a gift from You Holy Father! May You Lord continuously bless her with Your presence, favor, comfort, joy, unending love, grâce, kindness, mercy and compassion. Open her eyes so that she may see through your eyes, open her ears so that she may hear through your ears, may the words of her mouth and the meditation of her heart be pleasing in Your sight. Praise and Glory to you Lord Jesus Christ our Savior in Your Holy name I pray and thank You! Amen
I have several but 7 come to mind, Mae, Lynn, Denise, Renee, Marie, Ann, Faye and Ruth. Oh how I love these sisters in my life. They have held me up, sometimes set me up, corrected me and most of loved me for me.
I am so blessed and thankful for my sister by blood Pam Snelgrove, she has a heart of gold and ears to hear whatever my struggles, I am also blessed for a cousin as well as a sister In Christ (girlfriend In God) who isn’t afraid to dig deep and ask hard questions and say what Jesus would ask/assure…bless these two souls Lord who You have placed in my life!!!
I’m thankful for JANICE! We walked a path together when both of our husbands were diagnosed with life altering diseases and eventually death. We are still friends and I am truly thankful God had our paths cross years earlier as co-workers. JANICE was with me the day my husband went to be with Jesus. She is a true gift from God!
I am so thankful to God for my little sister Gail. Even though we are a distance away, we have always stay connected. She is a wonderful Godly woman who has supported me by encouraging me to go to a Bible Study to meet other like-minded women. My church had a sign-up sheet last summer with Bible Study Groups and I met a wonderful woman Allison who is a wife and mom of 3. She became the leader of a mom’s group this past February. It has helped me greatly as we began meeting in person and then on zoom meetings learning from the book ‘God is Able’ by Priscilla ShIrer. I looked forward to connecting with these amazing moms of teenagers. I totally needed this in order to become a better wife to my hubby and a good mother to my children 27, 20 and 15. I’m so grateful that my sister opened my eyes and God lead me to drive back to church to sign-up in a Group Bible Study. I was nervous but I knew that I needed to trust God for the women that He was going to place in my life. It has been the best experience of learning together in God’s Word with such great moms. I encourage you all to find a Bible Study that will enrich your life. We begin our book ‘The Power of a Woman’s Words’ and study guide today. I am excited to learn and delve into this book to be a stronger woman in my choice of words to be a blessing for God. My favorite go to verse is ‘I can do all things through Christ who has strengthen me.’ Philippians 4:13
My friends names are Isdorah and Sifaelly, Isdorah’s love is visible but Sifaelly’s can be quite difficult to see but once she is your friend she is a real one. Im grateful for my friends not everyone can have friends, they are my blessing.
Blessings
You were created to know God in a personal way—to have a relationship with Him, through His Son, Jesus Christ! May the Lord bless you as you seek His face!
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