We all long for authentic relationships. In the highly “connected” world through social media and other technology, we often lose sight of the art of deep connection and relationship.
Our relationship with God can become about “liking” a meme with a Bible verse more than allowing those verses to transform our hearts.
Our relationships with others can be more about the number of likes they send than the quality or depth of spiritual relationships.
I recently challenged a friend to ask me often, “What are you saying no to?”. By giving her permission to question me, I showed her how I was working to remove a thorn that has hindered my growth. In turn, she was able to be vulnerable and share how she struggles with the same issue. We now serve as iron sharpening iron as Iron Rose Sisters, encouraging each other and holding each other accountable in that specific area.
Another friend texted me one morning after a difficult conversation the night before, “Hey! Need that iron today?! Me too!” Our iron-sharpening-iron relationship was a two-way street of encouragement and saying what needed to be said, in love (Eph. 4:15).
An Iron Rose Sister…
- can be young or old, a new Christian or a mature one, in the same town, or across the country,
- has the strength of iron and the delicacy of a rose,
- brings her unique talents and gifts to God’s garden as she serves in Christ’s church.
When iron sharpens iron, sparks fly. However, it is how stay sharp and ready for battle. Only the branches that are growing get pruned (John 15:2). And one of the ways that God, as the Divine Gardener, helps with our pruning is through our Iron Rose Sister relationships.
Thank you to the Iron Rose Sisters in my life who encourage me to be as beautiful as a rose, in spite of the thorns.
#IronRoseSister #sisters #friends #DivineGardener #ironsharpensiron