One of the best things a wife can do for her husband is make a friend. Maybe you’re one of those gals who thinks her man can and/or should be able to meet all of her needs, but if you are, I pity your man.

Better husbands

A husband is free to be the “man of our dreams” when we don’t also expect him to be our best girlfriend. A woman-friend has more words in a day to use and to listen to than a man; expecting a man to keep up verbally like a woman can is setting him up for frustration. Every woman can use the added companionship and counsel of a girlfriend in her life. As a godly friendship takes root, the relationship diffuses pressure that may otherwise be directed towards a “hardly-a-girlfriend” husband. Instead, he is liberated to be the man he’s meant to be in a wife’s life. Jeff is many things in my life, but a good girlfriend, he is not! By nurturing my own girl-friendships, I strengthen my man.

Better wives

Because of the girlfriends in my life, I know I am a better wife. Friends add much to my life that I need.  Women have insight into other women that men sometimes miss, and they may have the “right word” to share at the “right time” to speak messages of encouragement or truth that we need to hear. “The right word at the right time is like a custom-made piece of jewelry, and a wise friend’s timely reprimand is like a gold ring slipped on your finger. Reliable friends who do what they say are like cool drinks in sweltering heat—refreshing” (Prov. 25:11-13, The Message). A husband will be free to encourage his wife to have a friend when he sees that she is more loving and more positive after time with her friend, so a wife does well to fill her friend times with uplifting words, keeping out any rotten attitudes or complaining that wants to sneak in.  A godly friend also has the potential to challenge us through the power of example.

A friend refreshes a woman, and a refreshed woman makes a better wife.

You may be thinking, “I’d love to have a good friend, but my options are pretty sparse, and I’m not sure where to start.”  You’re not alone; many woman feel unsure of how to plant or nurture good friendships. I’ve given you some ideas for further reading below, and there’s still time to put one in your pool bag or carry-on.

Summer is the perfect Season for Friendship. Today I’m posting at the Mom Initiative about how “Growing a friendship makes me a better mom.” Join me there and be inspired to use this time of year to plant seeds of friendship that will take root and bring your life shade and fruit throughout the year!

Resources I recommend for encouragement in making friendships in your life:

If you’re looking for summer reading to help you find and grow a quality friendship, I invite you to click on a link to read more about any title. If there’s one you like, why not share this post with a friend and pick a book the two of you can read together?

Disclosure:CHP is an Amazon affiliate.