Capture Her Heart by Lysa TerKeurst

Author:Lysa TerKeurst [TerKeurst, Lysa]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Moody Publishers
Published: 2010-12-24T17:00:00+00:00

CHAPTER 13

WOMEN NEED TIME WITH OTHER WOMEN

here are some things only God can give your wife. There are some things only you, as her husband, can give her. There are also things that only friendships with other women can give her. A woman needs all these relationships in her life. At Proverbs 31 Ministry, we have seven principles that we encourage and equip women to follow. Principle number six is: The Proverbs 31 woman speaks with wisdom and faithful instruction as she mentors other women and develops godly friendships.

Building relationships with others and developing godly friendships takes time. While women seem to connect with other women faster than men connect with men, it still takes time to nurture and grow these relationships. My husband is a big fan of my developing friendships with godly women, because he knows he's the direct beneficiary of what I learn. We swap recipes, decorating tips, cleaning ideas, romance ideas, disciplining strategies, and hundreds of other things. Honestly, there are days when I feel discouraged in being a wife and a mom, not because I don't love my family but because I get weary. I am refreshed by spending time with other women, comparing notes, swapping stories, and encouraging each other to press on. Woman-to-woman relationships are built around women's Bible study groups, meeting for coffee, shopping, decorating together, going out for dinner, and many other ways. But all require time. What a precious gift you can give your wife to allow her time with the girls. In the book I wrote with Sharon Jaynes titled Seven Life Principles for Every Woman, I share this story:

A carpenter who was known for his beautiful craftsmanship spent his life building exquisite homes. He paid great attention to the details of his work. When it came time for him to retire, his boss asked if he would build one last home as a special favor.

The carpenter reluctantly agreed. Never had his tired hands ached so as he once again sawed and hammered. His heart was no longer in his job. He rushed through his work, using inferior materials and paying little attention to detail. No one will probably even notice, he reasoned. He just wanted to get on with enjoying his retirement.

Finally the house was completed. But his boss had one last request—for the carpenter to meet him at the house to sign some final papers. When they met, the boss shocked the carpenter by handing him the keys to the house, his retirement gift. Oh, if only he had known, he would have done his best work.

So it is with us. Every day we choose our lumber and nails, as we build our lives. If we build wisely, we establish friendships and mentoring relationships that will endure. However, if we use haphazard methods and just enough effort to make do, we'll never experience the full richness of those relationships.

One day our master carpenter will ask to meet with us. He'll hand us the keys to the eternal home we've built.

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