Titus 2: 3-5 Likewise, teach the older women to be reverent
in the way they live, not to be slanderers or addicted to much wine, but to
teach what is good. Then they can urge the younger women to love their husbands
and children, to be self-controlled and pure, to be busy at home, to be kind,
and to be subject to their husbands, so that no one will malign the word of
God.
I love this passage of scripture, you may notice it is in
the title of the blog…in the Bible study that I am leading right now Beth Moore
talked about the older ladies and honored them in a wonderful way and it
brought tears to my eyes.
I have been pondering the many women who have greatly
influenced my life. I remember when I agreed to lead this study I fully
expected just a group of my peers and younger to attend. Boy was I shocked when
I saw the diversity of age and backgrounds of the women who decided to join
this study. I was humbled and terrified speechless that first week, someone
else stood in the gap and led us in prayer. But, I am so very grateful for this
wonderfully, diverse group of ladies that God brought together for our study.
From a very young age I took to
older women. From wonderful grandmothers and aunts and family friends I
learned to love listening to stories about earlier times and ways. The
world would find a way to misalign that and say I had mommy issues or
something…but the truth is, I have always loved the stories of days gone by.
There are the stories of triumph in difficulty, the stories of floundering to
find their own way as I have too, and the wisdom that comes with age and
experience. These are invaluable for those of us still travelling those
roads.
I am so very thankful to the women who found me worthy
enough to pour some of themselves and their knowledge into who I am and who I
will be. And I just wanted to encourage younger women to have a diverse group
of people close to your heart and in your life. And wiser ladies, please understand
that what you have to give and share with us is incredibly valuable and we need
your encouragement. Don’t feel like what you have to say and give is outdated
or in any way useless. Times are different, but the desires of a woman’s heart:
to be loved, to be a good wife and mom, those are timeless. And we need women
to look up to who have gone before us, who have fought in the trenches and have
overcome, people who won’t sugarcoat the responsibilities and difficulties of marriage,
but will share some of their biggest defeats and biggest triumphs candidly.
Sometimes even when we don’t think we need this guidance. Perhaps then
most of all. We all need encouragement and hope, a helping hand, a kind
heart – just like in the scripture above.
