How can a woman explore new relationships with men without any strings attached?

Question: How can a woman explore new relationships with men without any strings attached?  How
do you keep your focus while in the midst of enjoying a good time?  Is there something wrong with going to a movie with a guy, grabbing a quick bite with another or having another help out with the things you can’t do or don't want to do for yourself like shoveling the snow, cutting the grass or changing the light bulb?  I guess for me as a single woman there is always the stigma of looking like a loose woman when you have male companionship. 

Answer: This is a tough one.  When I was single it was difficult to have a friendship with someone of the opposite sex that I was attracted to.  It can be done but usually at some point, if there is an attraction there, somebody is going to want to become more than just friends. (I could not be friends with Maxwell. Nope, couldn’t do it!)  I’ve said this before in my Pearls of Wisdom that sex complicates things.  If you really want to just be friends and just hang out, go to dinner, go places, and maybe have a helping hand, it is important to keep sex (or any type of other physical intimacy) out of the equation.  If you really just want to have a few friends, be just that, friends.  Keep yourself out of situations that blur the lines.  For instance, you can’t be just friends and invite him over for dinner, dressed extra cute and super sexy, and then think you are going to cuddle on the couch/bed and watch a movie.  YEA RIGHT!  Maybe there are some women and men who can do that but, that was not my ministry (if it is someone I was attracted to)!  I would have to put him out the house before the previews were over (LOL)!  So, I tried to stay clear of those situations.  I had a male friend in college who was kind of cute and a very nice guy.  We never really went out or anything but he would always flirt with me.  It was flattering but I knew he messed around with a lot of women.  We ended up becoming good friends.  I could call him for anything.  I never crossed the line with him though.  I never put myself in the position for things to go further.  But it is important to know your limits.  That “friends with benefits” stuff usually doesn’t work for an extended period of time.  You can’t be business partners for long without somebody wanting to buy into the company! Somebody usually ends up wanting more even if they don’t verbalize it.  But, there is absolutely nothing wrong with having different male friends that you like hanging out with.  Just take it one day at a time and ask the Lord to help you to actively wait.  Waiting is much easier said than done.  But, you can do it!  Stay busy and keep your request before the Lord.