“Helping one another is part of the religion of sisterhood.” Louisa May Alcott
Yesterday, a GIRLFRIEND called to say that my family and I had been on her mind. We hadn’t seen each other since the pandemic started, so we seized the opportunity to catch up. As we continued talking, I inquired if she’d started the project we’d discussed a few years earlier. She confessed that since we’d spoken last about the project, her life had taken a downward spiral, and truly believed it was GOD’s way of telling her to complete the project. She explained that because she didn’t have the resources to complete the project, she never began. I reminded her that’s not how GOD works. Since our journeys are designed to increase our faith, HE doesn’t give us the resources upfront. HE issues out resources on an as-needed basis. I suggested the first step would be to start the project and as it progressed if needs began to arise, simply trust GOD. As we wrapped up the phone call, she indicated that she was determined to start the project and thanked me for the motivation. I responded, “that’s what GIRLFRIENDS do. We believe in and encourage each other.!!” After our conversation, I began to reflect on THE IMPORTANCE OF HAVING GIRLFRIENDS. Having true and genuine relationSHIPS with our GIRLFRIENDS is the rite of passage into womanhood. GIRLFRIENDS are there to check in on us, to check us, to console us, to motivate us, to uplift us, to pray for us, and to encourage us. They keep us grounded. Are you a supportive GIRLFRIEND? Do you have a good GIRLFRIEND that supports you? Yes, I DO!! So for this week’s blog, let’s talk SHIP about THE IMPORTANCE OF HAVING GIRLFRIENDS!!!
Although I have a biological sister who I love dearly, I’ve also been blessed with a handful of GIRLFRIENDS that have turned into sisters too. Ironically when I was writing this post, I received a text from a GIRLFRIEND that so eloquently expressed this week’s topic-THE IMPORTANCE OF HAVING GIRLFRIENDS, so I decided to share it as this week’s blog post. It’s a beautiful story about a mother who gives her daughter some motherly advice. It’s entitled “Women Need Girlfriends” written by Jane Jenkins Herlong. Enjoy…
A young wife sat on a sofa on a hot humid day, drinking iced tea and visiting with her mother. As they talked about life, about marriage, about the responsibilities of life and the obligations of adulthood, the mother clinked the ice cubes in her glass thoughtfully and turned a clear, sober glance upon her daughter…….
“Don’t forget your sisters,” she advised, swirling the tea leaves to the bottom of her glass. “They’ll be more important as you get older. No matter how much you love your husband, no matter how much you love the children you may have, you are still going to need sisters. Remember to go places with them now and then; do things with them. Remember that ‘sisters’ means ALL the women…. your girlfriends, your daughters, and all your other women relatives, too. You’ll need other women. Women always do.”
“What a funny piece of advice!” the young woman thought. “Haven’t I just gotten married? Haven’t I just joined the couple-world? I’m now a married woman, for goodness sake! A grownup! Surely my husband and the family we may start will be all I need to make my life worthwhile!” But she listened to her mother. She kept in contact with her sisters and made more women friends each year. As the years tumbled by, one after another, she gradually came to understand that her mother really knew what she was talking about. As time and nature worked their changes and their mysteries upon this woman, sisters were the mainstays of her life.
After more than 50 years of living in this world, here is what I’ve learned: Time passes. Life happens. Distance separates. Children grow up. Jobs come and go. Love waxes and wanes. Men don’t do what they’re supposed to do. Hearts break. Parents die. Colleagues forget favors. Careers end. BUT… there on the valley’s rim, cheering you on, praying for you, pulling for you, intervening on your behalf, and waiting with open arms at the valley’s end … are girlfriends. Sometimes, they will even break the rules and walk beside you….or come in and carry you out. No matter how much time and how many miles are between you, a girlfriend is never further away than needing her can reach.
When you have to walk that lonesome valley by yourself, the women in your life – daughters, granddaughters, daughters-in-law, sisters, sisters-in-law, Mothers, Grandmother, aunties, nieces, cousins, and extended family – will all bless your life.
The world wouldn’t be the same without women, and neither would I. When we began this adventure called womanhood, we had no idea of the incredible joys or sorrows that lay ahead. Nor did we know how much we would need each other.
I am grateful for and recognize THE IMPORTANCE OF HAVING GIRLFRIENDS in my life. Throughout this journey called life, I’ve met and forged some long-lasting friendSHIPS with a bunch of great women that I’m honored to call GIRLFRIENDS. They represent various stages of my growth and personal development and add a significant amount of value to my life. They’ve been through every failure, fumble, and success that I’ve encountered. We’ve shared tears and celebrations. We’ve spent countless hours talking, laughing, and sitting in silence. We’ve shared our beliefs and faith through our prayers and our praise. I LOVE them ALL for the invaluable contributions they’ve poured into my life. Listen, I understand that we all get caught up with the busyness of life, but STOP. Instead, grab a cup of coffee or a glass of wine and take time to call your GIRLFRIEND to let her know she’s IMPORTANT to you. I encourage you to pass this on to your “SISTER/GIRLFRIENDS” as a reminder of THE IMPORTANCE OF HAVING GIRLFRIENDS in our lives!!!
SHIP TALK: Do you have a group of supportive GIRLFRIENDS? Are you a supportive GIRLFRIEND?
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