Be a Shield for Your Sisters

Women have the tendency to rival each other.

Peninnah mocked Hannah because she was barren; Miriam criticized her sister-in-law, Zipporah; and Leah and Rachael seemed to display tension in their relationship since they shared the same husband. Instead of rivaling each other, women need to cultivate the spirit of covering their sister’s shame because this is the spirit of true love.

When a sister makes a mistake and stumbles, we should be quick to lend a helping hand to assist her in getting back on her feet. Unfortunately, many do the opposite.

Perhaps we should take a page out of Mary’s book.

I am speaking of Mary, the mother of Jesus.

Once, she was invited to a wedding at Cana of Galilee.

I guess this was supposed to be the couple’s dream wedding.

I dare say much thought, effort, and finance must have been invested in the planning and execution of this once-in-a-lifetime event! The guest list must have been prepared with care, and the caterer no doubt ensured that the menu was perfect and that ample food and wine would be ready for those in attendance. But something went wrong.

As the guests mingled and dined, it was discovered the wine had run out. In those days and in that culture, it was an embarrassment for the wine to run out.

It was considered an indication of poor planning.

This predicament was brought to the attention of Mary, who, Bible scholars contend, was a relative of the bride. Before the news could spread among the guests, Mary discretely approached Jesus and asked Him to intervene. Jesus instructed the servants to fill the waterpots with water. The servants obeyed, and to their amazement, wine flowed from the taps. Because of Mary’s love for her relative, she sought to cover her shame—she shielded her from embarrassment and criticism. Women, should you become aware of a sister’s predicament, do not fan the flame of gossip and increase her pain. Rather, like Mary, seek to resolve the problem by finding a meaningful solution. Just as the miracle water provided the “best wine,” so you may be able to bring something positive out of a dilemma.

Let us take the apostle Peter’s advice to love each other deeply because love covers a host of shortcomings.

Let us be a shield for our sisters.

Gerene I. Joseph