“Let you “Sis” be for Real”

A few months ago I had the pleasure in being a part of a woman’s event. I did an exhortation that I didn’t realize would open my eyes so much. As women, we use the word “sis” in two ways, positive or negative. The positive usage of course would be ideal, as it is to show yourself as loving or like family to someone. When you think of a sister, you think of a best friend, shopping and food buddy, a lending ear, a warm hug, or a good laugh. I’m sure we can probably come up with a thousand other things because some sisters are just that cool. Now when you think of the negative aspect of it, you think of the gossiper, backstabber, betrayer, etc. Not such a pleasant way of viewing things right?

We can be so upset with another woman, whether we are friends or not, and as poke we drop the word “sis”. But when we are close to another woman that we have a good relationship with, we also call that person “sis”. So why is it used in such a negative manner? The one thing I told the women was “don’t “sis” me unless your “sis” is for real.” In other words, I don’t want to use the word negatively, I want to use it in the manner in which it was created. Your sis or sister, is supposed to bring forth love, caring, compassion, trust, loyalty, etc. Of course like any other sister relationship, you will have your fall outs, bump heads, and disagree, but the key is being able to come back together. Talk out your differences and keep moving forward. Now I am a woman of faith and I have been in situations in church and out outside of it where woman have “sis’d” me, and then turned around and talked about me, lied on me, spoke ill against me, tried to breakup my family, and did it all with a smile. Would send me encouraging words, say they were there for me, and drop me like a bad habit the first chance they got. I am sure I am not the only one with that story.

But I said all of that to say this, don’t allow yourself to use that word in the midst of a negative setting. Bring life back into that word. Don’t call someone sis just to hurt them intentionally. Allow that word to be used in love. You don’t know what a person has been through and how that could impact them. It can sometimes be a struggle for me with being a Pastor and a preacher’s wife because woman in leadership would smile in my face and then plot against me or talk bad about me the minute I turned around. The same ones who would sit in the same service as me, say amen with me, and encourage me. But I am glad I am strong enough to not let the negativity determine how I treat others or how I interact with them. It is only natural to be guarded, cautious, nervous, or skeptical. But don’t allow someone else’s negative word usage change you. Let your love shine through your words. Be the light someone else needs. Be that encouragement someone was waiting on. Be better than them and let your sis be for real.

When you need that extra strength to overcome, remember 1 John 4:21 “And this commandment we have from Him: the he who loves God must love his brother also”-NKJV. Another good one is Romans 12:10 “Be kindly affectionate to one another with brotherly love, in honor giving preference to one another;”-NKJV

Remember that God is love and we can be the change we want to see, as long as we believe and keep Him first. We can be the example we want to see. I hope this encouraged and helped someone today #buildingtime #SHESpeaks

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