The Sister God Gave Me

 

My dear friend and sister in the Lord, Linda Hooten

On August 4 almost fifty years ago, two beautiful baby girls were born. Who knew that they would become good friends? And who knew that their mothers would become good friends, too? That day, Linda and I met because we were in the same hospital room together after birthing those babies. 

 

She was so full of mercy, kindness, and the spirit of the Lord. She read her Bible and talked about the Lord like He was her friend. God touched my life through her beautiful spirit and she continued to touch me for almost fifty years. We studied the Bible together, prayed together, did church work together, and went through good times and bad times together. We remained good friends even though I moved away from her town thirty years ago. 

God never gave me a biological sister, but He gave me one when He brought Linda into my life that day. She's always been there for me, helped me, prayed with me and for me, and for my family. I'm heartbroken to think of my world without her in it. She was my sister, friend, mentor, prayer partner, and so much more. I could write a book about Linda and her good works in this world.

 

Linda passed away last Thursday, after a month and a half of battling leukemia.  It was so quick.  In early November he was diagnosed on a Thursday, went in the hospital on Friday, and stayed there until she passed away. With Covid, she couldn't have visitors and was too weak to talk on the phone, so I didn't get to see or talk with her through it all.  I know a grief like I've never known, and ask for your prayers, dear Gail-Friends...for me and for her family.   I wonder if this ache will ever go away. I loved her so much.

 

My love and prayers go out to her family members and friends.  She was one in a million and we were all touched by her life and her love for and service to her Savior, Yeshua.

How thankful we are to have the Good Shepherd with us as we walk through this dark valley -- and how thankful, too, for the blessed hope of seeing her again one day in heaven.

31 Days of His Wisdom - Day 18 - Friendship

 

source Microsoft Office.com

Proverbs 18 is a gold mine of information about relationships, words, and friendship.  Proverbs 18:24 is the last verse in this chapter, but it spoke the loudest today:
 
Some “friends” pretend to be friends,
    but a true friend sticks closer than a brother.

The photo I chose today spoke to me, too, because a true friend will stick with you to the end of your life.   I have friends in my life that are closer than a "sister" as the verse says.  One of my friends has been in my life since I was in the first grade.  That's over fifty years.

G-d blessed me with another friend on the day my first child was born.  Linda was in the same room with me, and had given birth earlier that morning.  We both had little girls.  This was Linda's second child, and my first.  I was pretty incapacitated, while Linda ran around like the Energizer Bunny.  

I'd never met anyone so kind and caring.  "Can I help you with anything?" was her mantra.  I also noticed she read from her Bible several times a day, and sprinkled the words "L-rd" and "G-d" throughout her conversations, like He was a real person.  I liked that because it reminded me of my Aunt Inez and my grandmother, who did the same thing.

When we left the hospital after a few days, Linda gave me her phone number and I gave her mine.  I kept in touch with her, and she invited me to a Bible study.  I started attending church with her, and the rest is history.  We remain friends to this day, and our two daughters are fast friends as well.  

Linda has been there in every happy occasion, and also in every dark day of my life. She's helped me pack up and move several times, helped me give bridal and baby showers, and been there any time I need to talk.  We've laughed, prayed and cried together,  and she's even held a bucket while I threw up.  Now that's true love, right? 

I am an only child, but G-d blessed me with Linda, and others, to be my sisters.  I know what this verse means by years of experience.

^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^

Quotations are from The Complete Jewish Bible
Each time I read through Proverbs, something different jumps out at me.  This is ADONAI quickening His Word to my heart.  

As I go through this month of studying Proverbs, I hope you'll join me and read the chapter, too.  I'll share what stands out to me for that day.  

I'd love for you to share something He shows you through the day's reading. 
I'll be linking these posts to the 31 Days event at The Nester


This 31 day series will focus on the things I learned from Proverbs, as well as some things from Torah study, and will add in a sprinkling of what I've learned from Judaism. 

I will be posting daily through October 31.  To read the posts, just go to the Labels section on the left, and click on "31 Days of His Wisdom".

31 Days of Prayer For Our Children - Day 17

Friendship

How blessed are those who reject the advice of the wicked, don't stand on the way of sinners, or sit where scoffers sit.  (Psalm 1:1)

Don't be fooled.  Bad company corrupts good character. (I Corinthians 15:33)

The righteous should choose his friends carefully, for the way of the wicked leads them astray. (Proverb 12:26)

Do not yoke yourselves together in a team with unbelievers.(2 Corinthians 6:14)

Father, I pray for my children to develop and maintain good friendships with believers.  Friends are so important in our lives and can either build us up or lead us astray.  I pray they will understand abut the unequal yoke as it relates to friends and co-workers.  I pray for my children to have wisdom and discernment about people and to avoid and to break off relationships with foolish companions who lead them off Your path. 

Father, I pray they will always see their spouses as best friends and nurture that relationship with honor and respect.  May they always love each other and treat the other's friendship as more cherished than any other in their lives. I pray they will make time with each other a priority and care for the marriage spiritually as well as physically.

I also pray for my children to have friendships and good relations with their siblings and family members.  If there are any divisions, I pray for those to be reconciled and healed.  Family relations are important as we grow older, and I pray for their relationships to be cherished, nurtured, and guarded against the enemy's desire to destroy them.  Especially, Father, I pray for my daughters to be loving, close friends for their entire lives and to nurture that relationship, and to pray for each other.

I pray for my children to honor their parents and grandparents as this is Your commandment and it includes a promise that doing so will insure a long life. I pray for a deep bond of friendship between my children and their parents, and that the parents will honor and respect them as adults.  I pray the parents will be able to walk the fine line between being supportive and controlling for their adult children. 

Father, I pray that future generations will be close friends and greatly enjoy each others company. I pray that  any conflicts will be worked through with reason and respect and that there be no breaches or unforgiveness in the family,.  I pray no root of bitterness will ever spring up.    I pray they will cherish and nurture their family ties and maintain communication and have frequent reunions together for all future generations. 

 I'm linking up today to Faith Filled Friday
and Spiritual Sundays

and  Winsome Wednesdays