Today has been hard. I woke up with text messages from two soul sisters who were hurting. I quickly adjusted my sails after I got the boys up and ready for school. Two completely different sisters, with completely different live situations, both needing a friend.

I cried and prayed with one of them. I gave wisdom to the other. Reminded one that I was beyond proud of her courage, and the other that her soul was beautiful. I felt the weight of both. I have felt that weight all day.

Outside of these two interactions, a Titus sister (elder sister who is constantly teaching me. Titus 2:3-5), reminded me to always be ready for divine appointments such as these. Then I cried some more. Getting teary-eyed just thinking about all of it.

Soul Sisters

If you are new around here, I call the women in my life whom I fellowship with, Soul Sisters. These just aren’t random people, but relationships that I intentionally cultivate within the body of Christ. None of these relationships look the same. They all bless me in some form or fashion. I am grateful for every sister that allows me to participate in life with her.

Three Words

1. Burden.
   • Galatians 6: 2 reads, “Bear one another’s burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ.” What is the law of Christ? I understand it to reflect Mark 12:32-33 summed up as “love God, love your neighbor”. The word burden in Galatians can also mean weight. We help carry the weight of those around us. We love those around us and care for them. This isn’t a negative thing, but a God-glorifying aspect of the body of Christ.
   • 1 John 3:16-18, By this we know love, that he laid down his life for us, and we ought to lay down our lives for the brothers. But if anyone has the world’s goods and sees his brother in need, yet closes his heart against him, how does God’s love abide in him? Little children, let us not love in word or talk but in deed and in truth.
   • May I never forget to help carry the weight of those in need around me.
2. Refining
   • I have mentioned more than once that the past 12ish months have been spent in the refining fire. It’s been tough. I know the purpose. James 1:2-3, Count it all joy, my brothers, when you meet trials of various kinds, for you know that the testing of your faith produces steadfastness. And let steadfastness have its full effect, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing.
   • I reminded a sister today that none of us are perfect. Sanctification is a process and goodness gracious if I didn’t show some ugly sin about a month ago. Not a quiet closet sin, but a sin that others witnessed. I begged God to allow me to finally be done with it. Why have I not outgrown this thing, Lord????
3. Grateful
   • All of today has reminded me to be grateful.
   • Grateful for soul sisters. Grateful to be able to walk through the hard moments of life with others. Grateful that I was able to carry the weight for only a brief moment. Grateful for the refiner’s fire. Even though it comes with some pain, my refining allows me to share with others as they too are being refined. Grateful for divine ministry appointments. Grateful for the Holy Spirit who is always working in each of us and pouring out wisdom when we ask. Grateful for the sovereignty of God.

God is good. Even in the pain, grief, hard moments… He is so very very good. I pray to stay grounded in His unwavering goodness.

Day 3 of a 30-day writing prompt challenge from Locust and Honey. We are using prompts found here. Join us and use the hashtag #goodnessgrounded so we can find your offerings.