Let’s face it—life can be stressful. Between work, family obligations, and church commitments (and don’t even get us started on the dishes that are piling up in the sink!), it can be hard to find time to invest in the women in your life.
But in the midst of our busyness, we know how much it means when someone intentionally reaches out with a kind word or listening ear. Even small acts of kindness can lift our spirits and remind us that God created us for community.
It’s so important for us to remember that we need to make time to show appreciation and build deeper relationships with the people God has placed in our lives. We were created for relationships: first, personal relationship with God, and, second, intentional relationships with others. The Bible even reminds us of the importance of gathering together and offering encouragement: “And let us watch out for one another to provoke love and good works, not neglecting to gather together, as some are in the habit of doing, but encouraging each other, and all the more as you see the day approaching” (Heb. 10:24-25, CSB).
With that in mind, our team is sharing some of our favorite ways to encourage one another. If you’re looking to show your appreciation to the women who always have your back, here are a few ways you can encourage, pray for, and mentor your female friends:
- Send a handwritten card in the mail.
- Surprise them with their favorite coffee or tea.
- Send a random message asking how you can pray for them. Then follow up later letting them know you’ve been praying.
- Send a text to the women in your small group or Bible study with an encouraging verse of Scripture.
- Support other women in business, church, neighborhoods, etc. to build community. Offer support and encouragement that they may not find otherwise. What women can you support who are small business owners? How can you help promote their services?
- Do something special for another woman—something she would not do for herself or no one else would do. Send flowers, a card, a journal, a fruit basket, or her favorite snack.
- Make a random phone call to tell them you’re thinking about them, and mention several specific things you appreciate about them.
- Offer the gift of listening, either face-to-face or by phone. Ask an open-ended question like, “So what’s going on with you?” Resist the urge to talk. Just listen.
- Share the ministry of availability. Make time to be near another woman, having no agenda other than being available for wherever the conversation will lead. Just stand next to her or choose to sit by her. Support her thoughts on a topic and/or ask good questions to challenge her. Lean in and offer eye contact when she’s talking.
- Drop by her house with a treat and note that it’s just for her and to hide it from her kids.
What are some of your favorite ways to encourage the women in your life? How have your friends or mentors offered support and encouragement to you?
