In 2017, Reba McEntire released a new album filled with songs of inspiration. One of the songs is titled “God and My Girlfriends”. I love the lyrics to this song, especially the chorus:
God and my girlfriends
They’re always there when
I’m feeling down, always around, lifting me up
I love how they know me, forgive me, and show me
Again and again, I can depend
On God and my girlfriends
These words remind me of how important my relationship is with God and with the special women friends that I have. God is always there for me in every situation. He knows my heart. He knows my strengths and my weaknesses. God hears every one of my prayers, spoken or silent, and He should always be the one I turn to first.
But God created us to be in community with one another. Friendship and fellowship are vital. I need special people in my life to encourage me, love me, hold me accountable, forgive me, laugh and cry with me, and pray and praise with me. It’s not always easy to build and nurture these deep relationships because it takes commitment, time, and work, but it is worth the effort. I am a volunteer women’s ministry leader because I feel called to help women develop deep, meaningful friendships with other women, and I believe that Christ should be at the center of these relationships. He should be our common bond.
Do you have the kind of friendships that Reba sings about in this song? If not, reach out and try to connect with other women. Look for a Christian women’s fellowship in your area, or maybe start one of your own. If you are not ready for a group experience, try reaching out to one woman who may need you as much as you need her. Through these special friendships, God reaches out to us and can help us lead others to a relationship with Him.
Share each other’s burdens, and in this way obey the law of Christ. ~Galatians 6:2 NLT
Two people are better off than one, for they can help each other succeed. If one person falls, the other can reach out and help. But someone who falls alone is in real trouble. Likewise, two people lying close together can keep each other warm. But how can one be warm alone? A person standing alone can be attacked and defeated, but two can stand back-to-back and conquer. Three are even better, for a triple-braided cord is not easily broken. ~Ecclesiastes 4:9-12 NLT