I’ve written a lot of posts that have been inspired by my animals or by plants and trees. This post may not initially seem to go along with the theme “Inspirations from Creation“but I believe it is inspired by the greatest creation of all – people.

I just need to say how much I love my sisters. Sadly many people do not get along well with siblings, or may not even talk to certain members of their family. But I have been so incredibly blessed to have two sisters who challenge me, inspired me, and who I can call my best friends. And not only do I have amazing sisters, but a godly, caring, “man-up” kinda man for a husband. And if it couldn’t get any better, I have wonderful, supportive and loving parents, as well as a best friend who has been there for me for 24 years. And… I even have great in-laws! How often do you hear of people saying they get along well with and love their in-laws!

Now, none of these relationships are perfect. In fact – far from it. We all have had our fights, our misunderstandings, our “flesh-moments,” but, I can say with all honesty and a heart full of gratitude that I love my family. I could write about each one individually – which I may try to do, but today I wanted to give a big shout out to my two sisters – Christine and Kellie.

Christine was here for her spring break and at the very last minute, Kellie booked a ticket to come as well. So I got to have sister-time for 5 days! I have been missing my family so much so having the both of them here was a huge comfort and blessing. I was praying our time together would be fun, encouraging, edifying, and memorable, and God blew that prayer request out of the water.

During the mornings my sisters would walk around our property praying and listening to God. They were filled with songs, stories, and words of wisdom that they shared with me in the evenings. I was so inspired by their hunger for God’s voice and their passion to serve Him and be used by Him in spite of their pain and weaknesses. Hearing Kellie talk about her passion for missions and for her church awakened in me a fresh desire to better love the lost and be a source of spiritual growth in my own church.

We stayed up till the wee hours of the night speaking truth over each other, confessing sins, laughing together, and crying together. In the middle of that Christine said something that encouraged me so much. She said, “This place, this land, has been like a haven to me.”

Kyle and my dream for this place has been that it would be exactly that – a haven and healing place where people can see and experience God more tangibly. What amazes me is that even though our home is so far from being done, God is still using it in spite of all the cracks in the walls, mice in the traps, fallen branches, weeds, dead trees, and unfinished basement.
I mentioned in another blog that my sisters prayed over my son James. I have to admit that I’ve been so skeptical lately, but them taking the time to stop and pray for him not only meant the world to me but to James. They say that hurt people hurt people. While that is very true at times,
Christine, who is going through deep hurt, has been used as a source of healing – reshaping a new phrase: “Hurt people heal people.”

I don’t think this past week would have been the same without Kellie. She was a peace-maker and like a mother to me. Her help around the house, her prayers, her good taste in curtains, the decorations she bought me to brighten up my home, her words of wisdom, all felt like a fresh summer rain.

Both my sisters watched my kids while Kyle and I went dancing. They didn’t just watch my kids – they nurtured them. They played hide-and-seek, baked cookies, gave them “play-baths,” read to them, prayed with them and kissed them goodnight. It’s no wonder my kids keep asking when they will come again.

We spent a whole day celebrating my birthday around town shopping for curtains, trying to decide which flavor of Handel’s ice-cream we liked the best, eating sinfully delicious “Nothing-Bundt-Cakes” and Greek pizza, and ending the day with a gourmet meal at Bonge’s Tavern.

I took them to church on Sunday to show them off to my friends before Christine headed home and I drove Kellie back to the airport.

I got all choked up that last day. It was the whole “vacation-is-over-and-I-feel-super-depressed” kind of feeling. Only it was much more than a vacation. It was a spiritual retreat full of memorable God-moments, fun, and encouragement – just as I (and my mom – who asked me how she could be praying) prayed. These verses describe my week with my sisters:

“As iron sharpens iron so one man sharpens another.” – Prov. 27:17
” A friend loves at all times, and a brother is born for a time of adversity.” Prov 17:17
” For where two or three gather in my name, there am I with them.” – Matt. 18:20
“Let us not neglect meeting together, as some have made a habit, but let us encourage one another, and all the more as you see the Day approaching.” – Heb. 10:25

Of all God’s creation, it is people that inspire me the most. Thank you, Christine and Kellie, for challenging me, encouraging me, spending time with me, laughing with me, crying with me, and through your example, inspiring to be more like Jesus!