Ways to Let Your Women Know that You Care
They say “the squeaky wheel gets the grease;” there are those women who demand our attention, and we can’t help but give it to them. But how about those women who do not “demand” our time and attention? We can’t assume that they don’t have pressing needs as well. We need to find ways to show all of our women that we care for them.
Sometimes it is easy to get so involved in the group “women’s ministry” that we neglect the women’s ministry on a personal level. Here are a few suggestions:
1. In my opinion, the hand-written note really can’t be replaced. Even though we are living in the social media/email generation, there is still a place for the note that arrives by snail-mail. Just an encouraging verse or a simple “I missed you last week” shows that your care. What better use of fifty cents?
2. Just because I’m partial to the hand-written note doesn’t mean that a quick phone call, text or email isn’t meaningful.
3. Keep their prayer requests close to your heart, and follow up with them.
4. Take time to really listen. If this is hard, as it can be during a group meeting, pull them away privately after the session.
5. Be liberal with your hugs. A loving touch can go a long way to express your love.
Two weeks ago I mentioned that we schedule times of personal reflection during our retreat. But, in addition, we have a time at the very end of the retreat that we call “Reflections.” This is a time where we have the women consider what they have written down–how the Lord has spoken to their heart throughout the retreat. It could be something directly from the teachings, but often God speaks personally to the women through 
Reflection…forming our thoughts after consideration. I think we’ve forgotten how to do it, or perhaps I should say that we just don’t take the time to really reflect on how God is working in our lives. For me, the days when I take time to write in my journal are the exception. Sometimes reflection just takes place while driving.
A breakout session is defined as “a small group session, held during the main event and formed to focus on specific subjects relevant to the gathering.” In a retreat setting, we have main sessions taught by the retreat speaker. The main sessions are attended by everyone and geared toward the entire group. Then, if the event schedule allows, we develop breakout sessions in order to target specific groups or interests. Here are a few breakout suggestions:
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