“Beauty begins when you decide to truly be yourself” —-Coco Channel

I have this wonderful quote in my bedroom—encouraging and inspiring me to shine my own, God-given light. I pray  this for my two beautiful girls on a daily basis.  I want them to feel comfortable being who God created them to be, not what others say that they should be, look like, dress like, and act like.  I want them to find the girls in their lives who will rally around them and encourage them to be themselves.  The girls who will love their cute and quirky habits; the girls who will help them get up if they fall and skin their knees on the blacktop; the girls who will laugh with them NOT at them;  and the girls who will inspire their creativity and kindness NOT be jealous of it, mock it, or ignore it.  This is true sisterhood and this is what I pray that my girls can experience.

It shatters my heart to hear about others being mean to my girls. Mama bear comes out and sometimes I feel like I want to roar in the face of the girls who say or do mean things to my own flesh and blood.  But, what I realize is more important, is to teach my girls to know their true identity and worth.  To remind them that it is not wrapped up in what someone else says or does to them, but rather who their heavenly Father created them to be.  He calls them “beloved” and “fearfully and wonderfully made”.  I have to teach them that in those moments when someone is unkind, they need to step away, let it go, and embrace their true identity.

Even as a 44 year old woman, I still struggle with how other women perceive me—at school drop off and pick up, at the store, at the dance studio and even—-and sometimes especially—at church.  Too often women try to put on their “Sunday best” and hide behind bibles, serving during service, surface “hellos”, and shallow “how are yous?”.   Honestly, sometimes women would rather stay safe & comfortable and talk with the same friends or clique leaving those outside of a clique feeling hesitant to even try to approach them.   I have been guilty of it, but I have been on the receiving end of it as well.

That’s not true sisterhood. Sisterhood is also acknowledging differences but loving and cheering others on in spite of those differences.  Sisterhood is welcoming & cross cultural and NEVER divisive.  Sisterhood NEVER judges or compares but rather loves and shares.

I hate that as women we try too hard to people please and second guess or dwell on what we said in certain situations. I am totally guilty of this.  Let’s shower other women with grace and compassion rather than an air of perfectionism that no one can ever attain. Let’s be REAL.

Maybe you feel like you have a super strong village or sisterhood surrounding you.  Maybe you feel well connected  with ladies in your life and in social circles.  So, I challenge you to reach out to someone who might not be in your “inner circle of trust” and make them feel known.  Make them feel special when you talk with them, not like you don’t really have the time and are just trying to be polite.  Make those ladies feel like you really care.  Sisterhood is powerful.

I’m blessed to have two gorgeous younger sisters who have journeyed through life with me. It is a by blood sisterhood built on faith, legacy, memories, time, sacrifice, deep love, trust, and showing up for each other.  We have not always been the perfect sisters with each other—believe me there have been many fights and mistakes over the years—but, the bond we share is unbreakable. I want to continue to build a  sisterhood outside of my two precious sisters.  I want to feel known, loved, and accepted for who I am—-the good, the bad, and  everything in between.  Thank you to my dear friends who have been a true sisterhood for me.  You know who you are & I love you immensely.

I know as women we desire this.

Let’s celebrate others success and cry with those who need to grieve or mourn. Let’s dance together and rest together. Let’s work hard and help others who need help.  Let’s be still and recognize that we are not God, but rather daughters of the king.  Let’s be like pineapples—-stand tall, wear a crown, and be sweet on the inside.

Let’s be brave on the narrows, ladies. Let’s nurture and grow the sisterhood that surrounds us and across the globe, so that we can all flourish.