“For if either falls, his companion can lift him up; but pity the one who falls without another to lift him up.” Ecclesiastes 4:10 CSB
Today is my sister-in-law Jill’s birthday. I’m thankful to Jill for teaching me what it is like to have a sister. My sister was so much older than me, we never lived in the same house together, she seemed more like an aunt. But Jill, seems like my sister, minus the “in-law.” I was still in highschool when we met and she’s been a part of the family ever since, it’s hard not to call her sister. And Jill has always been there to pick me up when I’ve needed her too. She has always been able to see things in me I can’t see in myself. She helps me to see them too. We’ve had our good times, we’ve had our bad times, but we’ve always been family.
Solomon tells us in Ecclesiastes, “Two are better than one because they have good reward for their efforts. For if either falls, his companion can lift him up; but pity the one who falls without another to lift him up. Also, if two lie down together, they can keep warm; but how can one person alone keep warm? And if someone overpowers one person, two can resist him. A cord of three strands is not easily broken.” (Ecclesiastes 4:9-12 CSB). We all need friends in our lives, people we can count on when we’re in the valleys of life.
I recently watched the Lord of the Rings with my husband. The friendship between Froto and Sam was the kind of friendship Solomon was talking about. There is this poignant moment near the end of the movie. Froto can’t go any further, he has no energy left. Sam, barely with any strength himself, picks him up and begins to carry him up the mountain. When Froto tried to leave him behind, multiple times, Sam just ignored him and kept going. Sam knew the importance of the journey they were on, he knew the importance of reaching their destination. He also knew the heavy burden Froto was carrying with him, Sam helped him carry the burden. I am blessed, because God has given me that type of friend in Jill. I am blessed because my brother chose well, and gave me a sister. I am blessed because I have a sister that helps carry my burdens.
Today I am thankful for sisters. What are you thankful for?
