I tend to dig into a subject, spill it all out at once…
This week has been about community, of female relationships and their importance in our lives. I hope you know this isn’t replacing or dismissing other key connections such as God or our husbands if we’re married. Those hold their own.
We began with understanding a need for community, it’s Christ’s idea…
…I shared of an incredible gathering & community-building time experienced recently
and yesterday I touched on not allowing hurt or other past disappointments to keep us isolated.
Then I noticed just today Ann Voskamp’s lovely post this week on how to be a better friend!
Christ is speaking to His daughters?
Today we’ll look together at three key relationships I believe we need as women. Thankfully, for most of my adult life, these have held a place, though some years did feel somewhat barren in one or two areas.
Relationship # 1 :: Women Who Mentor You
These are women who’ve walked the road a little longer, experienced more…who know more. They are in your life to:
- listen and offer counsel
- share of their journey, which is ahead of your own
- keep you focused on priorities
- be a balcony person! {this short book is excellent on being a cheerleader for others – a balcony instead of basement person}
I cannot stress enough the importance of this kind of relationship. I’ve grown leap and bounds when allowing God to share with me through a mentor.
It doesn’t need to be official or ultra-organized, simply put yourself in the path of women you admire and see what happens! Pray for women who will pour into you.
Relationship #2 :: Women Who Share Life
We also need those women in our same stage of life, whatever that might be. These may be those of similar age, but not always. I appreciate connections with other Mamas who homeschool, other pastor’s wives…or those still raising little ones.
I find that we as women are fairly abundant in this area, and weaker in those who mentor us. Still, I hope today that you share aspects of your right-now life with other women in the same season.
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Relationship #3 :: Women to Whom YOU Give
See you how it all works? We receive, we share in, we give. Yes, I believe that’s God intent all around, true?
We need to be relationship #1 for someone else, because it’s not all about us. When we’re overly spent or in the middle of high stress, the gifts may be simple…
a hug, a smile, an encouraging word.
In time, God encourages we intentionally be the ‘one another’ the New Testament speaks of so often. And there’s that Titus 2 command… So think with me, to whom do you give?
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Hopefully, these three connections are reflected in your life — I bless you today with authentic, fulfilling relationships!
Grace to your weekend friends…
