I’ve got a secret…a secret sister that is.
By Dr. Anita Lewis-Sewell
Okay, so it’s not REALLY a secret because I know who she is; but I’m not going to tell you because ( shhhh!!!) it’s supposed to be a secret. That’s part of the fun. Still, knowing who she is does not diminish the joy she has brought to my life.
Have you heard the phrase: "Random acts of kindness, and senseless acts of love?"
The Bible tells us to do good, especially to those of the household of faith, and to encourage one another. Secret sisterhood is a simple, yet significant ministry.
The secret sister is a practitioner of love and kindness.
A secret sister selects a woman whom she will provide with special (often anonymous) ongoing encouragement. That person can be chosen at random, for example, by pulling names from a hat. (My secret sister simply announced that she was going to adopt me, and that was that.)
She then finds simple, creative ways to show love in the form of prayers, phone calls,
e-mail, cards, gifts, visits or unexpected surprises. It does not have to cost money to show love, and this is an endearing way for women to support each other in life.
My secret sister sent me Valentines each year after my husband died, and it meant so much.
One day my secret sister knocked on my door and shoved a plastic bag into my hand, saying "this is for you." The wall plaque in the bag, inscribed "Faith Will See Us Through," now hangs in my kitchen.
One Sunday after church, I went for one of my many "faith walks" on a bike trail along the Sandusky River. I wore this light-blue t-shirt that was a gift from my secret sister. She hoped I’d enjoy wearing it when I went out to exercise. The slogan on the shirt read: "Exercise Your Faith…Walk With Jesus.
I often go on "faith walks" to meditate on the wonders of God’s creation and to seek His direction for my life. More recently, I have also hoped by faith (and exercise) to lose at least 30 pounds and graduate from that dubious land of …dare I say the dreadful word ….obesity. After all, we "can do all things through Christ."
Sisters are great. I have three real sisters, Brenda, Cynthia, and Diana, who are wonderful. But God has given me much, much more.
He gave me a really cool "secret sister."
He blessed me with many special sister-friends, like Miss Annie, Anna, Anne, Barbara, Becky, Betty, Cassandrea, Charlotte, Charlene, Charlon, Connie, Deborah, Delores, Denise, Dorothy, Elvesta, Elza, Gayle, Gloria, Heather, Imogene, Jan, Jane, Jeannie, Joanne, Joy, Juanita, Julie, Karen, Latrise, Lorna, Mae, Marcia, Margaret, Maria, Marie, Marilyn, Mary, Mattie, Mollie, Pat, Paula, Pauline, Rhonda, Robin, Sharon, Shauna, Shirley, Stacey, Sylvia, Tina, Wendy, and Yasmin (whew….just to name a few).
"Sister Care" is a "sisterhood" group at my church. We periodically meet to eat; and we meet to greet and treat each other with gifts of mutual camaraderie and spiritual edification. Our church mothers - Mothers Hall, Hurse, Jones, Lee, and Phillips- come when they can to share their wisdom with us.
These women have all been unique sources of support, guidance, inspiration and friendship for me, time and again.
Exercise your Faith." Become a secret sister. It’s one special way to share love . And a really special thanks to my secret sis! God Bless.
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