The Gift of a Secret Sister - iBelieve Truth - August 24, 2023
The Gift of a Secret Sister
By Laura Bailey
“So that your giving may be in secret. Then your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you.” - Matthew 6:4, NIV
Our women’s ministry introduced a new opportunity for fellowship called “secret sisters.” It’s a simple concept, but the impact on our church was significant. We were given the name of another lady at our church and tasked with encouraging her for the next few months. We could write a card, share a Bible verse, or give a little goodie, but most importantly, we committed to praying for our secret sister each day.
As the name implies, our chosen sister was meant to be kept secret until our reveal party scheduled for a few months later. It was an enjoyable way to encourage women of our church to pray for each other, get to know someone they may haven’t had the opportunity to engage with, and provide a steady diet of encouragement to a sister in Christ.
Our church experienced a period of high energy, a boost in Bible study participation, and an intense feeling of welcome and joy during the months we participated in this secret sister program. A friend shared with me that she wished we could continue the secret sister year-round; she loved how our women felt like they were seen, belonged, and loved.
Sometimes when we are involved in organized service opportunities, we forget that we don’t need a program, event, or group; there are numerous opportunities around us each day to be a “secret sister.”
Have you noticed that your neighbor's garden has gone untended this summer? Grab a pair of gloves, pull a few weeds, water her flower beds, and trim up some unruly bushes.
Has a co-worker shared that she is going through a messy divorce and worried that she wouldn’t be able to make ends meet? Enlist some friends and slip a grocery gift card into her box at work with an anonymous note to remind her she is loved!
Maybe a new mom confided that she struggles to meet her newborn's and active toddler's demands. Drop off a few goodies from the dollar store, bubbles, sidewalk chalk, or a big coloring pad, on her front door, with a note letting her know she is doing a great job!
Yes, there are numerous opportunities to fill a need, give a word of encouragement, and show the eternal hope of the Gospel to a hurting world. It doesn’t necessarily have to be a private donation, but I love these words from Jen Wilkin if we are wondering if we should share openly or in secret. She says, “ Show when tempted to hide, hide when tempted to show.”
Maybe like me, you sometimes struggle with the right heart motivation in these types of exchanges clamoring for recognition rather than giving for God's glory. If so, let us cling to Matthew 6:4, which prompts us to give in secret knowing that our Father in Heaven sees our good deeds and will reward us at the proper time. Jesus, in this passage of Scripture, points to our inner heart motivations; he cares more about our why than our what. This verse also comforts us that our service acts aren’t in vain, and God sees His people! And not only does He see our works in private, but He will receive an eternal reward, a wonderful gift from a gracious God.
By all means, have fun participating in secret sister and other secret exchanges, bearing in mind that we don’t have to wait for these special events to share God’s love with people!
Heavenly Father, thank you that you are God who cares about us and sees your children's needs. We are so grateful that we serve a mighty God, but one that still cares for every detail of our lives. Lord, we ask that we do and give with pure motives, convict us when we pursue charity for righteous gain, and help us as “we hide what we are tempted to show.” We love you, Lord, and are grateful for the gift of salvation that you freely give to those who accept you as Lord and Savior. In Jesus’s name, Amen.
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She lives in Upstate South Carolina with her husband and three young girls, where she serves as director of women's ministries at her church. Her passion is teaching the Bible to women, equipping them to live with an eternal perspective. Invite Laura to speak at your next event or learn more: www.LauraRBailey.com If you've been feeling tired, overwhelmed, depleted, or just quietly wondering where God is in the middle of a very full life — this episode is for you. And honestly? It might be for me too, because I'm recording this in one of those seasons myself. Today we're doing something a little different. Instead of going deep in a passage, we're talking about what to do when deep feels like too much — when you need less, not more. Specifically, I'm walking you through one of my favorite practices for weary seasons: handwriting scripture. Not typing it. Not scrolling past it. Actually writing it out, slowly, in your own hand — because something happens in your brain when you do that. The words land differently. They go deeper. And over time, they become part of that personal library of God's voice that the Holy Spirit can pull from when you need it most. That's what Psalm 119:11 means when it says I have hidden your word in my heart — it's scripture moving into your long-term memory, where it lives and stays even when you haven't opened your Bible in weeks. I'm sharing the five verses I wrote out for myself today — and why each one hit me fresh even though I've known some of them for years. This episode is part of our How to Study the Bible Podcast, a show that brings life back to reading the Bible and helps you understand even the hardest parts of Scripture. If this episode helps you know and love God more, be sure to follow the How to Study the Bible Podcast on Apple or Spotify so you never miss an episode!Related Resource: Instead of Doing More This Summer, Maybe You Need to Do Less
