“Two are better than one, because they have a good reward for their labor. For if they fall, one will lift up his companion. But woe to him who is alone when he falls, for he has no one to help him up. Again, if two lie down together, they will keep warm; but how can one be warm alone? Though one may be overpowered by another, two can withstand him. And a threefold cord is not quickly broken.”

Ecclesiastes 4:9-12

I look at the ladies seated around my table and smile.  In each face, I see a friend.  We range in age from 45 to 75 (or older. Some secrets will never be revealed!). Some still have young children at home. Others have adult children just beginning their lives. And others have grandchildren and even great-grandchildren.  We come from different backgrounds, different marital statuses, different levels of education, different ethnicities, different stages in our spiritual walk.  Still, despite the many differences, we share a common bond, the bond of faith.

Two are better than one…The need for companionship is built into us all.  I am an introvert by nature.  I can spend hours – even days –  alone and be content.  I like having the hours to ponder, analyze, and create.  I treasure those “alone hours.”  After a time, though, I need people contact.  And while I love my husband dearly and praise God for blessing me with a wonderful mate, I need “sister time.” There are things about me that only another woman can understand.  And, while I have wonderful friends who do not share my faith, there are spiritual matters that I can share only with a fellow believer.

The ladies who gather around my table every month are family. We cry together and laugh together.  The trials we face as mothers and wives, the challenges of juggling home and family, work and church, while taking care of ourselves – our physical, mental, and spiritual health – are easily shared.  We can offer each other advice, pray together, and encourage each other.  The ladies who have already walked the path are able to share their knowledge.

And, without fail, when the mood gets a bit too serious, someone tells a story or makes a remark that has us all break into laughter.  The smiles appear again and joy fills the room.  We can count on each other.  We can trust each other.

Paul tells us in Hebrews 10:24-25 to consider how we can encourage one another, spur each other to love and good works, to gather together, and in Galatians 6:2 to “bear one another’s burdens.”  The Bible is full of scripture instructing us to gather together, to assemble together, to work together, pray together, encourage one another.

Even Jesus enjoyed friendship.  The time He spent with His disciples was, I believe, for more than instructing them for His work after His death and resurrection.  I believe that time spent with them was also because He desired companionship.  God walked in the Garden with Adam and Eve.  God created Eve to be a companion to Adam.  We were created for relationship.

We aren’t meant to be isolated.  There are times in our lives when we need to be alone, to spend time away from other people in order to heal, grow closer to the Lord, or refresh.  But, that time should be temporary.  We are meant for companionship.  We need each other.

Looking at the precious women gathered around my table, I smile.  I praise the Lord for these women.  I cherish each one of them and feel deeply the honor and blessing of this company of sisters.