A person standing alone can be attacked and defeated, but two can stand back-to-back and conquer. Three are even better, for a triple-braided cord is not easily broken.

~Ecclesiastes 4:12 NLT

On the dairy farm where I grew up, I learned the value of a cord of three.

We had a couple of apple trees. On one, a swing hung from a sturdy branch. Unlike swings found on modern playgrounds, this one consisted of a wooden board approximately two feet by eight inches (enough to accommodate small behinds) and two inches thick, with holes bored through each end. Two lengths of rope, with one end tied securely around a branch and the other threaded through the holes and knotted on the underside, completed the thing.

During the summers, my dad had fields set aside to make hay for the cows in winter. The baling machine used strong twine to bind the hay into bales. Sometimes there would be leftover segments of twine that were too short for baling, but long enough for suspending the board swing. One strand alone was insufficient to support the board and the added weight of a child.

Dad gathered up the strands and passed them to us kids to braid into a nice, thick rope. Three strands provided the right amount, and our swing was complete. No fear of breaking while we pumped and stretched our feet toward the sky. Occasionally we’d even double-up on the swing with confidence.

Once, I served as facilitator of a women’s small group. We met almost every week for Bible study and shared prayer concerns and praise. Over those six or seven years, we learned much about the Lord and each other.

Share each other’s burdens, and in this way obey the law of Christ.

~Galatians 6:2 NLT

Although we numbered only four, we received a blessing from those relationships. I called them my “By God’s Grace Gals.” Sometimes tears flowed as we unburdened our hearts to each other; other times laughter erupted as we recounted comical experiences.

Then came the day when my husband and I decided to move to another state. This meant I would no longer be in close proximity to “By God’s Grace Gals.” Thankfully, a new technology called “texting” had appeared. Our text thread had been established from the beginning because we found it an excellent way to stay informed if a meeting time needed changing or if urgent issues arose during the week that needed prayer.

We, four sisters in Christ, are committed to staying connected through our established text thread. The text thread has been a lifeline. Each of us has faced discouragement, frustration, and physical and emotional struggles. Yes, we have even prayed together through text.

Being in relationship with other believers is extremely important and worthwhile. If a triple-braided cord is not easily broken, how much stronger is the cord braided with four strands?

In one text conversation, one of my gals explained that she could no longer attend church in person due to physical issues. Therefore, we were her only contact for Christian fellowship. Another gal commented, “Sometimes living life can just be overwhelming. However, we’ve got to hook our shield together to form a fierce, capable, defensive wall so the enemy can’t get us!” She then referred to the following declaration of God spoken through Isaiah.

“No weapon formed against you shall prosper, and every tongue which rises against you in judgment you shall condemn. This is the heritage of the servants of the LORD, and their righteousness is from Me,” says the LORD.”

~Isaiah 54:17 NKJV

She further stated that while trials and attacks may occur, this verse promises that they will not ultimately succeed in destroying the believer. “I will not lose faith!” she said. Another gal chimed in, attesting to the power of praying over those under attack.

God has given each of you a gift from his great variety of spiritual gifts. Use them well to serve one another.

~1 Peter 4:10 NLT

We sisters in Christ have received gifts from God that we use to serve each other, much like the braided baling twine cords of my childhood that supported several small posteriors. Together we support each other in conversation and prayer and with faith, trust, belief, joy, affirmation, and peace.

Taking the time to search out Christian companions to walk with in life, whether in person or long-distance, is so worth it. Make it a priority.

Dear Heavenly Father, thank You for braiding me into strong cords that provide support and protection. As I continue to connect, help me to use the gifts You’ve given me to serve others well and bring You glory. In Jesus’s name, amen.

Genre: Non-fiction

Copyright 2026: A Cord of Three: Anita van der Elst: All Rights Reserved.