WOMAN-TO-WOMAN

   If you are a man, and you are reading this, STOP right now! Turn the page; this article isn’t for you. It’s just for women. Grab a cup of tea or a mug of coffee, ladies. Get cozy and let’s talk, woman to woman.

         How’s your year been? Was it a year of victory, defeat, pain, joy, or are you just so busy you can’t even remember? Chances are, like every woman, you’ve experienced a bit of everything in 2005, but with the year now rapidly spinning to a close, you’re so focused on getting the cookies baked, the house decorated, and the presents wrapped, you haven’t stopped to think about what the past year has been like for you much at all. Instead, you’re thinking about everything you have to get done, about everyone you have to take care of. But what about you? What have you done for yourself this year? Have you looked out for yourself as much as you’ve looked out for everyone else? If you’re like me and every other woman out there, chances are, you’re shaking your head right now.
         So, let’s take a minute and think about ourselves. What? Think about myself? Why, that’s so selfish, isn’t it? Contrary to the myth of our Christian culture, it isn’t selfish at all; in fact, it is necessary for you to take care of yourself first if you are going to meet all of the other demands in your life. By nature, we women are nurturers, but when we get so committed to nurturing everyone but ourselves, life begins to come unraveled. We get depressed, we get angry, we get tired. If your year is drawing to a close with any of those emotions overwhelming you, then you need more time to yourself. It could be life-saving.
        Women need other women; it’s modeled in Scripture in Titus. The women get together regularly to meet and talk and build up one another. Just being with other women can energize us! So, why not make a commitment to yourself to get involved in women’s ministry in 2006. If you’re saying, I don’t have time, then I’m saying, you need to make time! We all make time for the things that are important to us. Your health is important. You are important. Make time for you. The women’s ministry team at Stone Ridge is planning a banner year for you, with a myriad of activities and choices to meet every woman’s need. Just look at the line-up for this year:

 DivorceCare for Women

· “Finally OK With Me”: A Victorious Christian Living Study for Women

· “Women Like Me”: A Group Experience for Women Affected by Domestic Violence

· “A Busy Woman’s Guide To Prayer”: A Woman’s Group Study

· “Sexual Abuse Recovery”: A Group Experience for Women Affected by Sexual Abuse

· “Woman-to-Woman Mentoring”: A year-round mentoring program

· “Cooking On A Dime”: A quarterly hands-on workshop

·  Greeting Card Ministry: A monthly card-making gathering

·  Moms’ Groups

·  Bible Studies

·  Ministry Opportunities At Crossroads Mission

·  Annual Women’s Spring Retreat

·  Special Events

      For more information about any of these upcoming events, you can contact our Women’s Ministries Director, Rhonda McMurran at 726-2746, or our Women’s Ministries Administrator, Diane Kinnard at 726-4132.

       Are you ready to take care of you? Good! Let me just say, woman-to-woman, you are worth it! And for all of you men who are still reading this article, even though I told you not to, can you see why the woman in your life needs time for herself? Support her getting involved in Stone Ridge Women’s Ministries– she is worth it! A little woman-to-woman time will bring great peace to her life and joy to yours. As the saying goes, “if mama ain’t happy”…well, you know.

 -Laura Sabin Riley-