Sisters Affirming Sisters Foundation (SAS)
Authors: Denise Betty and Ava Ewan-Harris
The power and characteristics of sisterhood
Sisterhood can be defined as loving and accepting another female where they are whilst also inspiring that person to their highest potential and focus on God’s will for their lives. According to one writer Isadora James, a sister is a gift to the heart, a friend to the spirit, and a golden thread to the meaning of life. Some common traits of sisterhood include a bond between women who share common goals and are able to work together to accomplish set goals and agenda. Sisterhood fosters empowerment, social changes and embraces freedom. Other qualities of sisterhood include wisdom, loyalty, and kindness.
Sisterhood is a unique connection that fosters and promotes healing and restoration. Research shows that some of the females we embrace as our sisters are at times closer than our own family members. They understand us, defend us, and encourage us in the bad times and support our dreams and journey along us throughout life. At times, these women are brave to correct, scold and guide us. The sisterhood is developed with interest, commitment, patience and reciprocity over a period of time. This unique bond often transcends a normal relationship and can also transform us over time to be better individuals. Sisterhood involves connecting women in a meaningful with the goal of mentoring, remembering and accepting.
Sisterhood celebrates holistic health, gender equality, feminism and a call to being the best version of oneself even as we bring others along the journey. Sisterhood addresses race inequality, deals with emotional wounds and scars. Sisterhood has at its core, a focus on women’s and girl’s rights. Sisterhood concentrates on family dysfunction and human sexuality. Effective sisterhood means you value other women vs you valuing yourself. The sisterhood can’t be forced. It has to be developed with interest, patience and maintained with loyalty. Sisterhood builds a long lasting relationship with same sex and opposite gender and sex.
Quote: “A sister can be seen as someone who is both ourselves and very much not ourselves- a special kind of double.”
The role of sisters is both integral as it is diverse in the Christian’s walk. It is of much significance to point out that a sister does not necessarily have to be genetic. This role oftentimes transcends genetic borders and is found in females who have a strong filial bond and who most times have similar goals and aspirations. Sisters look to each other for support, unconditional love and a safe haven of trust, honesty and growth all at the same time. The concept of sisterhood is as vital as it is necessary to the uplifting and growth of women across the world and is not limited to certain cultures.
As Christians, scripture exemplifies the role of sisters in fostering love, care and affection to others and by extension transforming and unleashing new levels of excellence in the faith. Two sisters who bring out the poignant impact of sisterhood are Mary and Martha, the beloved sisters of Lazarus a devout follower of Jesus. Throughout the New Testament, we encounter these two sisters who were consistently serving and fellowshipping with Jesus Christ. One of the strongest examples of their sisterhood was the instance when their brother Lazarus had died and they were awaiting Jesus. In the book of John 11 “Now a man named Lazarus was sick. He was from Bethany, the village of Mary and her sister Martha. 2 (This Mary, whose brother Lazarus now lay sick, was the same one who poured perfume on the Lord and wiped his feet with her hair.) 3 So the sisters sent word to Jesus, “Lord, the one you love is sick.” Immediately, we get a glimpse of both sisters whose personalities were different yet, they had much in common. They were sincere followers of the Lord Jesus and they believed on him with all their hearts. We further learn that they were convinced that if Jesus was in Bethany their brother would not have died.
When Mary reached the place where Jesus was and saw him, she fell at his feet and said, “Lord, if you had been here, my brother would not have died.” When Mary reached the place where Jesus was and saw him, she fell at his feet and said, “Lord, if you had been here, my brother would not have died.” This speaks to their conviction in the mission and the purpose of Jesus’ role. In fact, in verse 27, Martha says, “Yes, Lord,” she replied, “I believe that you are the Messiah, the Son of God, who is to come into the world.”
As kingdom sisters, like Mary and Marta we might have different perspectives and outlook but nevertheless, the ultimate purpose of establishing and proclaiming God’s kingdom. The next time we see b oth sisters in scripture was in Luke 10 verses 38-42 38 As Jesus and his disciples were on their way, he came to a village where a woman named Martha opened her home to him. 39 She had a sister called Mary, who sat at the Lord’s feet listening to what he said. 40 But Martha was distracted by all the preparations that had to be made. She came to him and asked, “Lord, don’t you care that my sister has left me to do the work by myself? Tell her to help me! 41 “Martha, Martha,” the Lord answered, “you are worried and upset about many things, 42 but few things are needed—or indeed only one.[f] Mary has chosen what is better, and it will not be taken away from her”
Again we see these two sisters with different perspectives yet, the ultimate goal is about giving glory and honor to God. Martha is seen as energetic and dutiful catering to the needs of the house guests whereas Mary is the one who would spend all her earnings in the form of a costly perfume that she lavishly poured on the Lord. Although they had differences of focus, it can also be argued that their roles ultimately aid in the foundations of the Christian faith. The Lord needs sisters to affirm sisters in order that his kingdom will continue to make inroads across the world. Through service, worship and adoration of the Lord Jesus we are ministering the gospel of Christ Jesus and making him known through stewardship, sisterhood and service.
