Women need other women. True, we have our husbands, children, etc. But women are unique to other women because we see and feel things similarly and can support each other from that common vantage point.
We aren’t meant to live alone, isolated, or in our silos. But, we do. Harvard research recently stated that 1 in 3 people are lonely. Lifeway research found that 69% of ministry wives say, “I have very few people I can confide in about the really important matters in my life.” Now more than ever we need to pursue each other in connection and community.
Do you have other women in your life? Friends, mentors, teachers, neighbors, sports moms, sisters, mothers? Other women can bless your life when…
she makes you laugh at life, yourself, and nothing in particular.
she listens to all your words and says, “Me, too.”
she can’t think of words either and has hot flashes at random times.
she encourages you in your struggles and lovingly speaks the truth you need to hear.
she shares her struggles with you providing helpful perspective that you aren’t the only one struggling with this or that.
she is gracious, generous, and forgiving.
You may be reading this and feel loneliness, sorrow, grief, anger, and longing. Other women may have been pretty mean to you. You may have been betrayed, backstabbed, ridiculed, lied to, or left standing alone. I’m so sorry. Because of this hurt, you may have closed up and shut out other women. Listen, in doing so, you not only have insulated yourself from potential hurt, but you have eliminated yourself from this beautiful blessing of community with other women.
[For more reading about friendships, read: Find Your People by Jennie Allen and Beautiful Messy Friendships by Christine Hoover]
God knows our need for other women and has included beautiful stories of broken women in the Bible. You don’t have to remain alone in your faith even when no one is around.
For everything that was written in the past was written to teach us, so that through the endurance taught in the Scriptures and the encouragement they provide we might have hope. Romans 15:4 NIV
Join us (Amy and Jamy) this year as we dive into learning about other women of the Bible. These women were messy and had loads of problems in their love lives, family, children, and politics. They are a lot like you and me. We will discover many truths together including:
- Life is bigger than me.
- I’m not the only one.
- God is always working and has a plan.
- No one is beyond the reach and rescue of God.
- Sin (mine or other people’s) cannot derail God’s plan.
- My brokenness doesn’t eliminate me from being used by God.
Every month in 2023 (beginning in February), we will launch our “Women of the Bible” series bringing truth and relevant applications to ministry wife life. We are excited to surround ourselves with this community of women. We hope you will walk confidently knowing that God sees you and works through broken people and situations to bring restoration and healing.
*You will receive the “Women of the Bible” blog post each month in your inbox if you are on our subscription list. If you want to join our email list to receive the latest blog posts and upcoming information, click the link here, scroll down to the navy “Join our email newsletter,” fill out the form, and submit.
Much love for you,
Amy and Jamy