On women and friendship

Sandra Aldrich (left) and her friend Cheri Fuller (right) combined their talents--and their hearts--to coauthor The One-Year Women's Friendship Devotional (center).

"I didn't find my friends; the good God gave them to me."
~ Ralph Waldo Emerson

I first "met" Sandra Aldrich several years ago online. We both belong to Advanced Writers and Speakers Association, which publishes a daily post. One day I read Sandra's post, and she mentioned her "Appalachian coal mine town" background. Being that I live in western Pennsylvania in the heart of the coal mining area, I emailed her and asked her where, exactly, she was from.

"Kentucky," was her reply.

Since then Sandra and I have "chatted" online numerous times, and I've been privileged to meet her in person. She is a nurturing, encouraging woman with a heart overflowing with love. I am honored to call her my friend.

It is with joy that I host Sandra and her friend, Cheri Fuller, today as they discuss their new book, The One-Year Women's Devotional Bible.

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The One-Year Women’s Friendship Devotional (Tyndale) is the latest book from friends and coauthors Cheri Fuller and Sandra Aldrich. Not only does the text provide a deeper connection to and enjoyment of God and His Word, but it is a wonderful opportunity for today’s busy women to connect with each other as they discuss the short daily devotions and the “To Ponder” questions at the end of each week’s section. Perfect for small groups or two girlfriends meeting over coffee, the devotional also is appropriate for those who prefer individual study.

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What’s the biggest challenge to women developing friendships today?

Sandra: Lack of time. And a lack of a sense of community. Today’s women have daily to-do lists as long as their arms. It’s difficult to concentrate on deepening friendships—or even developing them—when our idea of fun is crossing items off that list. Also, those endless lists make us feel alone even in a crowd. Women need each other, but often it takes special effort to form those connections.

Cheri: Recent research shows that 30 percent of Americans are lonely and often feel isolated. The more hectic life gets, the more we need friends and the encouragement that comes from relationship with God and our sisters in Christ. Our hope is that reading The One- Year Women’s Friendship Devotional will energize your spiritual life and your friendships.

Another major challenge we face as women is taking care of so many people that we neglect ourselves and become irritated or burned out. Taking time to refuel spiritually and emotionally is important and the benefits ripple out to our children and family members, job, and all the people our lives touch.

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Here's what Amazon.com has to say about the book:

"Women need to connect with other women in deep, meaningful ways--especially within the context of a mentoring relationship or spiritual friendship. Older women who have experienced the heartache of life's journey can offer encouragement and wisdom to younger women beginning their journey with God. Younger women can inspire and inform the older generation. The One-Year Women's Friendship Devotional will not only provide daily wisdom and encouragement from God's Word throughout the year but will also encourage women across the country to cultivate meaningful, spiritual friendships."

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What’s an example of a devotion in the book?

Sandra: My accounts usually feature one of my young friends facing a challenge or a memory from my Kentucky farm days, which leads to a spiritual point. The following devotion is from June 13:

CARRIED BY OUR FATHER

Give all your worries and cares to God, for he cares about you.—1 Peter 5:7


I remember a long-ago night in our Kentucky farm community. I was five years old, and my parents had taken me with them to visit neighbors. By the time we left for home, the stars were already out, and our lane looked long and dark in the moonlight,
especially where the thorny blackberry bushes hug over the ditches. Quickly my dad swooped me up and carried me on his strong shoulders. The night was still dark, and the bushes still had thorns, but I felt so safe I fell asleep.

There have been many times in my adult life when I’ve been carried by my heavenly Father. And I’ve noticed that though I long to be carried away from the darkness, I’m actually carried through it, just as Daniel was saved in the lion’s den rather than from it (see Daniel 6:16-23). I confess, I don’t like the challenges and trials that often accompany daily human existence.

In fact, I’ve often thought I’d like God to say, “Good morning, Sandra. This is what I plan to do today for you and your family. Is that all right?” But, of course, he doesn’t, and I’m left to choose once again whether I will trust him during the scary times.

A while back, I was intrigued by the word care in 1 Peter 5:7, so I researched it. I discovered that the word can have two meanings: our worry and God’s comfort. The worrying type comes from a Greek word meaning “to divide the mind.” How perfect.

My mind is divided when I allow worries, distractions, and anxieties to interfere with my trust that my heavenly Father will carry me past life’s dark ditches and thorny bushes.

So what’s my goal? To concentrate less on the situation and more on him.


Lord, even though I’m an adult, many times I feel like that little girl facing thorny bushes and deep, scary ditches. Help me to feel your strong arms carrying me to safety. Help me to rest in you.

God is in His heaven; God is on the throne; God is fully in charge of His world.
--J. I. Packer, Theologian and Author

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What are some of the topics covered?

Sandra: The 52 weekly themes cover many issues of a woman’s life, including career challenges, the power of encouragement, joyful living, hearing God above life’s roar, when your childhood family is toxic, faith building, avoiding overload, attitude adjustments, finding your spiritual pathway, dealing with stress, wading through grief, telling and hearing truth, making a difference, dealing with Christmas frenzy, a fresh-brewed prayer life, freedom from fear, and reaching a hurting world.

"A friend is a present you give yourself." ~ Robert Louis Stevenson

GET YOUR COPY:

The One-Year Women’s Friendship Devotional provides connection in this fragmented world—connection to other women and, most importantly, connection to our heavenly Father. The quickest way to order it is through amazon.com. For more information about Cheri Fuller or Sandra Aldrich visit their websites at www.cherifuller.com or www.sandraaldrich.com And remember: the heavenly Father is just a whisper away.

"Think where man's glory most begins and ends
And say that my glory was I had such friends."
~ Ralph Waldo Emerson

To order your book online, click on the links above. Why not get TWO? One for you and one for your best friend. It'll make a GREAT Christmas gift!

I'll be giving away one copy of The One-Year Women's Friendship Devotional. See details at the top left of this page.