My Sisters

I don’t have any sisters.

On top of that, my mom and dad were only children — so I also do not have any aunts, uncles or first cousins.

My family was very small and the number of women was even smaller.

Throughout my growing up years, my mother, my two grandmothers and I were the only women in our immediate family – and now, with my mother’s passing, they are all gone.

Over the past few weeks, I have been surprised to find myself grieving for both of my grandmothers all over again. Not only do I miss my mother – I miss them too. 

Oh, how I miss the women.

There have been only a few times in my life when I wished that I had a sister –  at times of major milestones: my wedding, the birth of my children, and especially now at the loss of my mom.

But even so, God is so faithful.

I have no reason to have a pity party.

He has shifted my focus away from what I don’t have, and given me eyes to see what He has given.

Perspective is everything.

Although I have not been blessed with a sister of my own, I’ve been blessed in a different way—and in doing so, He has met and exceeded my every need.

The truth is, I should have started this post by stating “I do not have any biological sisters.” 

This is much more accurate because our Lord, in His goodness, has sent many, precious women who are truly my ‘sisters’.  

I honestly do not know how I would have survived this past month without them.

When my mom became ill, they never left me.

It began when we arrived at the emergency room. Upon hearing the news, my sisters dropped everything and came to the hospital waiting room to pray.

They stayed close by throughout the entire week, providing for all of us as we made the two hour round trip to the hospital each day.

 And, when my mom died, they moved in even closer.

They showed up.

They cried with me, loved on me and even one month later, their care continues.

My sisters have staying power — this is so important. They understand how it goes with grief.

They came and helped me with the sacred work that women do after a family member dies.

One helped me go through my mother’s belongings. Another is helping me clean and organize her kitchen to make it easier for my dad.

The offers of help have been overwhelming and beautiful.  

Do you know that when God meets our needs, He almost always does it through people? 

When we focus only on what we do not have, we risk missing how perfectly He is meeting that very need!

On the night before my mother died, we left the hospital believing that she had improved enough to be discharged from the ICU in a day or so. My husband spent that night with my father and I went home with our youngest son.

Very early the next morning, we received an urgent call from the hospital that my mother’s condition had taken a serious turn, and she was not expected to live.

They told us to come quickly.

I was alone in my bedroom when the call came — and I became completely undone. 

All I was able to do was drop to my knees and pray.

But I couldn’t pray.

There were no words – only panic. 

I realized the phone was still in my hand, so I called  my sister, Donna. When she answered, I blurted out what was going on. 

Her immediate question was “Where are you?”

Through tears, I told her I was on my knees in my bedroom and that I needed prayer.

Without missing a beat, she responded, “Wait – let me get on my knees, too.”

And so, in our own bedrooms, and on our knees together, Donna and I went before the Lord asking for His will to be done over my mother and for the courage for us to accept His plan.

My sister prayed when I could not.

I will never forget that tender moment as long as I live.

I may not have any biological sisters, but He has given me the most amazing friends and family to journey through this life with. I am forever grateful.

 

We sang my mother’s favorite hymn at her funeral. The beautiful old English lyrics go like this:

The King of love my Shepherd is,

His goodness faileth never,

I nothing lack if I am His,

And He is mine forever.

I remember singing those words and thinking how true this has been for me.

His goodness never, ever fails and I lack nothing—absolutely nothing. 

 

 

18 thoughts on “My Sisters”

  1. This is so beautiful and it gives me hope. I am an only child, but sadly I have not found the love of sisters as you have, except for my #RaRaLinkup sisters. You are truely blessed. I am your neighbor at Kelly’s blog today and your sister in Christ.

    1. Oh Carolyn, thank you for responding to my post. I am sorry you have not found “sisters” who can walk alongside you. Don’t stop looking for them and DO NOT stop praying for them to appear. I am so glad you came to my website today. I will pray for you, my sister. Please stay in touch. xo

  2. Oh, Laura, it’s such a hard thing to lose a Mama. My Mom passed away in 2011, and I still miss her terribly! I live in a different state than the rest of my family, so I understand the loneliness. Like you, I had my family and sisters in the Lord to see me through! So thankful that our God places the lonely in families (Ps 68:6). Joining you today from Sue’s Life Giving Linkup.

    1. Ellen- Like you, I imagine I will never stop missing my mom. I am happy to know you also have had sisters for the journey. I hope you will visit again and comment often. God Bless you.xo

  3. Your mom and our Savior must be so proud of you. This particular blog got to me as I recall losing my mom. It still hurts today. We became best friends after many years of conflict. I thank God every day for such a wonderful woman who raised me.

    1. Thank you, Sandy. I want Him to be glorified through it all. What a wonderful story you have–you must be able to give such hope to others who have difficult relationships with their moms. God is so merciful. Thank you for commenting. I hope you will visit again. xo

  4. You have sisters you’ve never met … but will. Thank you for this sharing, the telling that allows my heart to share with yours.
    You are God’s beloved, and so you are greatly loved.

    1. Cheryl, What a sweet, sweet comment. Thank you so much. You words have meant so much to me at the end of a very difficult day. xo

  5. I’m sorry to hear about your mother. “When we focus only on what we do not have, we risk missing how perfectly He is meeting that very need!” I love this thought and have been there where the Lord showed me I have everything I need. Thank you for linking up with Thankful Thursdays.

  6. Oh, I’m so sorry about your loss. Yet so grateful the Lord has provided for you through the body of Christ. Thanks for encouraging us to be sisters to one another and for linking with Grace and Truth.

    1. Thank you for the kind words. Your comment means a lot to me. I will be visiting you over at your site as well. Many Blessings!

  7. Beautiful post. My mama is my best friend, after my husband, and just the thought of losing her hurts. Prayers with you, and thankful for God placing the right sisters in your path.
    Thanks for linking up with Grace&Truth.

    1. Thank you, Jenn. My mom and I were close too. I am thankful I had her as long as I did, but it was still too soon. I am glad you came over to visit and comment. Thanks so much.

  8. Pingback: Our Dear Marylou |

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