A visiting preacher ended his sermon with an admonition to stop wearing a “Sunday Face.”

Sunday Face  – Someone heavily burdened by trials.  Upon entry of the church building: transforms into a mirage of someone without a care in the world.  

I certainly understood what he was referring to.   It somehow seems kinder to grin and pretend that things are just fine, than to open up about a trial.  Perhaps we are concerned that we will bring negativity to the life of our friends.  Or maybe we worry that we will be unfairly judged?  Possibly a fear that someone’s opinion of us will deteriorate, or that we will lose a close friendship.  

His suggestion was to reach out to a friend and say “I am struggling with ___ will you meet me for lunch?”  This simple prescription allows one-on-one conversation, a deeper relationship, and demonstrates faith in our church family.  This request requires courage and humility from the one living confessed, and requires responsibility from the person receiving the gift of trust.

May I suggest that we as sisters in Christ must be disciplined and trustworthy in order to allow our sisters to live confessed? 

Qualities of my “Safe Haven” friends:

• Love God more than me.

• Have a strong prayer life.

• Humble.

• Grace-givers.

• Not interested in gossip or slander.

• Will point me to God.

• Will not encourage selfishness or self-pity.

The contrast of living confessed to the Sunday Face is like the photo above.  Alone, we are like driftwood.  Together, we thrive.  God created us to lean on one another, to bear each other’s burdens, to pray together… to walk through this life together like real sisters.  God is so good to give us one another.  Let’s remember to utilize this precious gift of sisterhood! 

Get real with me, and put that Sunday Face away.  With God by our side, and love for one another, we will thrive!

“Therefore confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous person is powerful and effective.” 

James 5:16