Sisterhood SecretSmakprov

You Need Younger Sisters

“After all, what gives us hope and joy, and what will be our proud reward and crown as we stand before our Lord Jesus when he returns? It is you!” (1 Thessalonians 2:19).

Older sisters need younger sisters. They bring us joy when life can feel like such a chore. Paul alludes to this in his relationship with the Thessalonians. This joy can be yours too as an older sister engaging with younger sisters.

As we love younger sisters, they will enable us to see God’s love for us too. In the Bible, Naomi lost her husband, her sons, and her hope for grandchildren. As a widow in a foreign country, she decided to return home even though she couldn’t regain ownership of the family land. She struggled with bitterness, low self-esteem, and poverty. She wasn’t looking for a younger woman to invest in, but her daughter-in-law Ruth would not let her go home alone.

Ruth followed Naomi back to her hometown and devoted herself to providing for her. Naomi, in return, tried to protect Ruth and find a husband for her, but Ruth’s devotion to serving older Naomi led to a happy ending. Naomi’s family land was restored through Ruth, and she got a grandson! Naomi finally let go of her bitterness and rejoiced in God’s love for her – all because of a younger woman in her life.

God can use younger women to fill our empty cups, whether our emptiness comes from barrenness, sadness, or insignificance. God puts younger sisters in our lives to teach us new things. Allow yourself as an older sister to need younger sisters to embrace the blessings they will bring into your life.

Reflection

As you reflect on your life, are there instances where a younger woman blessed you? Thank God for this sister and his blessing through her. If you are still in touch with her, write her a note of appreciation for blessing you. If you are a younger woman, ask God to show you older women you can encourage.