“Let us not give up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but let us encourage one another–and all the more as you see the Day approaching” (Hebrews 10:25)

     I relish time spent with my girlfriends–either one on one, or in groups.  It seems that as I get older it gets more challenging to find time to nourish friendships–and generally I think it is harder to make new friends.  This was especially hard for me after moving to a new, much smaller town.  Even with this transition, I have a couple of great girlfriends who make the effort (and drive) so we can meet up and spend time together catching up, shopping, having lunch and other fun girlie activities.  The Lord also pointed out to me that “she who wants friends must show herself friendly.”  With that advice, the Lord put a couple of ladies on my heart that I work with, and I asked them to lunch.  All friendships are such a joy–and it is a simple pleasure to put time into new ones.  I believe women have almost a physical need for fellowship and mutual encouragement with other women.  There are so many things we need to talk about that our husbands simply do not and will not share our interest in.

     Today, my colleague and girlfriend were discussing how our semi-free week was quickly filling up with unforeseen responsibilities and extra work.  I said, “I have been having this fantasy about taking an afternoon off and going to get a fancy coffee drink, maybe see a movie–”

     She cut me off, as if I had thrown her a lifeline that might disappear at any second.  “When?!  When can you go?”  she asked.

     We decided to seize the day and be impulsive.  We enjoyed a leisurely lunch and visit, followed by a matinee of The Proposal, a chick-flick that our husband would have had little interest in.  I drove home from our afternoon fun feeling refreshed and grateful for all of my women friends–the ones I see daily, the ones I stay in touch with purely by phone, right down to my mother, mother-in-law, and sister-in-law.   Besides, being fun and rejuvenating, time to talk and laugh with the girls is the best form of stress-relief!

     No one will say it’s easy to find time to socialize with friends, but it is so worth it!  The Bible even says not go give up meeting together–and implies that this is a “habit” that some fall into.  We need to spend time together to offer encouragement and support, and that is not confined to a church service.  So, get on the phone and call a girlfriend.  Make a date to get together and catch up.  If that’s just not possible right now, a quick chat on the phone would probably encourage and bless you both.

This mug is a funny & unexpected "just because" gift from a girlfriend.