During the past twelve months, my family has moved three times.

I’m not sure I’m completely sane after such upheaval but I know this for sure: I would never, not even for one moment, have made it through these transitions without the aid of my Heart Sisters.

What’s a Heart Sister?

She’s the friend who isn’t technically your sister by blood – but she is 100% your sister by heart.

And if you read this and think “Gosh, I sure wish I had people like that in my life,” rest assured – I once thought the same thing.

Friendships with women don’t have a fast forward button and sometimes, in our immediate gratification we-want-everything-right-now culture, this is hard to understand.

I remember once thinking “Why is it taking so long to find women I connect with and feel comfortable enough to be my most authentic self?”

I was no longer interested in the Pretty Front Porch Friend. Pretty Front Porch friends are the women who have it all together on the outside but are too scared to let you into the inside of their souls.

I’m more interested in the Messy Living Room Friend - the friend who sees your hot mess and loves you anyway. In fact, Messy Living Room Friends feel more at-home in your messy living room because they can be a hot-mess sometimes, too.

After praying for Heart Sisters for many years, slowly, ever so slowly, God began to bring them into my life.

When I was ready to be vulnerable and humble with the women around me, my truest Heart Sisters began to emerge. I quit trying to look perfect. I quit acting like I had everything figured out. I  quit complimenting other people on their Pottery Barn catalog home or their Pintrest-perfect  crafts/meals/decorating (though if that’s your thing and you can still be authentic and vulnerable, you go girl!)

Instead, I admitted to my weaknesses – and there are several. I shared my deepest struggles. And I started focusing more on the women I was getting to know – instead of the myself and  my own needs.

God desires for us to live in community with other women. He doesn’t want the culture of women to be one of jealousy, bitterness and competition. He wants the culture of women to be one of encouragement, love and support.

It’s so much easier said than done sometimes though, right?

Becoming Heart Sisters: A  Bible Study on Authentic Friendships is my six week study designed to help you find, and be, the friend you are longing to have. The complete study includes a participant’s guide, a leader’s guide and a six series (with an introduction) teaching DVD to correspond to each week.

In honor of National Girlfriend Day today, I am giving away one leader’s kit valued at $79.99!

Check out my website for a special post so that you can enter to win. http://nataliesnapp.com/2017/08/01/becoming-heart-sisters-leaders-kit-giveaway/

About the Article Author:

Natalie Chambers Snapp is an author, blogger, and speaker who describes herself first and foremost as a follower of Jesus, then wife to Jason, and mom to one spunky daughter and two spirited sons with a whole lot of energy. Not choosing to follow Jesus until the age of twenty-seven, she is passionate about sharing the grace, mercy, and truth of God’s love regardless of your track record. Her authentic approach to life and faith is both refreshing and endearing. Natalie is the author of Becoming Heart Sisters: A Bible Study on Authentic Friendships and the book Heart Sisters: Be the Friend You Want to Have and has written for various blogs and online devotionals, including Proverbs 31. She lives in West Lafayette, Indiana with her crew and writes about faith in the everyday mundane.