Sister-Advantage

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My sister Mary and I were born 20 months apart. She’s older… and much wiser. Mary’s been my leader and defender since I was born, and I don’t deserve her.

For example, she’s given her last two Fridays to me as a painting partner at the cottage, priming and then semi-glossing the woodwork around all my new windows. In the process she also accomplished the thankless job of painting our “Harry Potter Closet,” the hard-to-reach cubbyhole under the stairs. But painting the underside of steps while lying on her stomach and twisting her neck upward was no problem for Mary. “I’d love to do it,” she said.

And that’s her, always saying, “I’d love to do it.”

Years ago one of my friends gave me a coffee mug that says, “No, I can’t bring 4 dozen cookies. Next question?” I love my mug and quickly related to its sentiment. Mary, however, probably wouldn’t be able to drink from it. She’d rather bake the cookies.

Mom once told me, “Next to your father, Mary is the most Christ-like person I know.” She was right. Mary’s always thinking one step ahead of the rest of us. For instance, she keeps my calendar commitments in her head along with her own, hoping she can help. She’ll say, “Do you have a ride to the airport on the 5th? If not, I’ll take you.” I’m thinking, “Where am I going on the 5th?” and she’s already arranging transportation. But that’s Mary, the biblical poster child for putting the interests of another ahead of her own.

As little girls we were polar opposites. She was quiet; I was boisterous. She was careful; I was sloppy. She obeyed the rules; I tested them. Yet somehow our relationship grew into a strong friendship that’s only gotten stronger with the decades. I’m continually learning from her sterling example and will never catch up.

When Nate had his cancer, she and I often left the house briefly to have prayer times in her car. When I held back tears at the cottage to spare children and grandchildren, beach walks with Mary were my safe times to open the flood gates. When Nate died, Mary was there, as she had been for days leading up to that. And in the 15 months since I’ve become a widow, she’s driven from Chicago to Michigan every Thursday to spend several days cheering and fortifying her grieving sister.

Best of all, though, is our relationship as sisters-in-the-Lord. Mary knows her Bible (because she reads it through each year), and I often ask, “Where is that one verse about…?” She knows. As a Bible study leader she studies Scripture intently and has, in the process, become more and more like its Author. As Mom said, Christ-like.

Today after cleaning her paint brush and pulling on her boots she said, “What are you planning to blog about tonight?”

I said, “You.”

“Oh no. You shouldn’t.”

But of course, I knew she’d say that.

“She had a sister called Mary, who sat at the Lord’s feet listening to what he said.” (Luke 10:39)

27 thoughts on “Sister-Advantage”

  1. Beautiful portrait of Mary. We also “see” the real Margaret as well and a lot of Jesus is also in her.
    love you both

  3. Your sisterhood is an example to all of us. I am grateful to know Mary as a prayer warrior for Caris – but now I know her a bit more as your sister. Thanks for letting us into your lives and sharing your Mary with us – she is a gem and so are you!

  4. Actually, I think you two are the Dynamic Duo! What a testimony to God’s provision and love.

  6. Ditto what Gale said. It’s a wonder to see the how God knits families together and has a place for each of us. you’re both my heros. Love you and have a great time w your Florida family.

  9. Very inspiring. We all should ask the Lord to provide these types of people in times of need.

  10. You deserve each other. Your both Christlike. It has been a pleasure to be your neighbor in Michigan and observe the love that you have for each other.

  12. First of all, this post is hilarious. Grandma J always said exactly what she was thinking, didn’t she? I hope she followed up that comment with something positive about you too! Mary really is an amazing person in many ways and I’ll never forget the way she handled Papa’s cancer (after spending three consecutive nights in a chair in the library, occasionally sleeping with her head on a stool: “Oh I feel great!”) and his death and the months that have passed since then. I love knowing she’s often in Michigan, stopping by your house and walking with you on the beach. I am constantly thanking God that I have you both as role models. I remember asking you once after Papa died, “Has Mary always been so positive about everything?” and you said, “No, she’s worked at it and learned to be that way.” That gives me hope! 🙂 This week has been really tough. Thanks for reminding me of who I want to be.

  14. I LOVE MARY!! She has been such an encouragement to me for so long. I am so thankful to know her!

  15. What a special post! Sisters are the best.My sister and I have not always seen eye to eye,but since Jake has passed away,I must say she has been one of my best friends.
    Ruth

  16. Hi Margaret,
    Love that picture at the bottom of the post- what was that old TV show about sisters- laughed alike, talked alike, even seemed to walk alike… despite your differences
    I’ve never met Mary, but her influence is sharpening me anyways, and I’m encouraged by Linni’s comments that there is still hope for someone like me to change into more of a person like that. Mary, “The Lord is not unjust so as to forget your work and the love which you have shown toward His name, in having ministered and in still ministering to the saints”… even the saint who is your sister.
    I had to laugh at the lines about the airport. I have a friend just like that who anticipates how she can be helpful, and I’m usually stuck back in “why, what do I have going on?”
    Love,
    Terry

  17. Oh, how true! I love this blog that honors my dear friend Mary! In the 33 years that I known her, she has been a role model as a wife and mother, encourager, comforter, friend, helper and a Christ-like example to follow. She’s fun and funny, extraordinarily generous, and can work circles around me. In fact, Mary and Margaret are two of the neatest and dearest women I know. I’m so blessed to have them as friends. We’ve had so much fun together over the years, along with the sad and serious times as well. I don’t know what I’d have done without them. I love you, Mary and Margaret!

  18. I love this post! It makes me feel so happy 🙂 I remember how many times she invited Biff and I to have dinner with their fam on Tuesdays the year we spent in the city. We’ve talked about it and we both agree that Tuesday was our favorite day. I love you Mary!

  21. You are so wonderful both of you and the way you are together as sisters is a perfect match. But that was also part of somebody’s plan……. Love you both!

  22. You are so wonderful both of you and the way you are together as sisters is a perfect match. But that was also part of somebody’s plan……. Love you both!

  24. You had her from birth, but I came to know Mary when a career in nursing was birthed. From the minute I met Mary, I knew she was one woman I desired to emulate professionally. Since then however, she’s come to mean so much more. Don’t we continue to learn from her. She’s such an example of another Mary from Luke chapter 1, “I am the Lord’s servant, and I am willing to do whatever He wants”. Thank you Mary for all you mean to each of us.

  25. Reading your blog makes me miss Charlotte so much today. Thanks for the card you recently sent.

  26. The blog was great!! But it was the verse at the end that drenched the keyboard…happy tears, that I HAD a sister who is now so very literally at the Lord’s feet. What good gifts Jesus gives in sisters who love Him and help us love Him more.