It has been women in my life who have shown me over and over and over what it looks like to love God and love my neighbor. As I have walked life with them, they have spurred me on to good works. Truly, I would not have pursued Christ without their godly influence. 

Remember Donna? My workout partner who is 25 years my senior and who frequently out-lifts, out-runs, and out-performs me? The other day, when our workout was over, our trainer (and our dear friend) invited us to stay for bonus burpees. Yes, bonus burpees.

Of course I put on my coat and headed for the door. Who needs bonus burpees? Not me. I said I had to go educate the next generation and started walking out. When I glanced back to say goodbye to Donna, she was poised to start the burpees. Without complaint.

Ugh. Fine. In an instant, my coat was off and I was standing next to Donna, ready to start the bonus burpees. She had said nothing. But her mere action of standing ready to do a hard and good thing provoked me to be willing to do the same.

This is the power of sisterhood: women watching women do hard and good things, thus enabling us to do more hard and good things.

Hebrews 10:24-25 says, “And let us consider how to stir up one another to love and good works, not neglecting to meet together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another, and all the more as you see the Day drawing near.”

We were made for community and we were made for good works. When we gals meet together, and when we stir one another up to love and good works, God is glorified and we all benefit.

This has been profoundly true in my own life.

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