Me...an Older Woman???

The aged women likewise, that

they be in behaviour as

becometh holiness...

Titus 2:3

Never have I been more aware of the aging process than over the course of this last year. At almost any age, we begin to feel the aches and pains of aging. The odd thing is that even as we physically age, very often our brains tell us that inside we are still in our 30-40's. I don't know how often I say to Brian, “I hate getting old.” He always replies, “You aren't old, aren't getting old..it's all in your mind.” No honey, it's in my joints, muscles, bones, wrinkled skin, etc. I am so glad though that in the book of Titus, the aged or older woman is lifted up in high position. It isn't a position that will bring great money, but will bring great reward spiritually speaking.

Think back with me at some of those ladies we admired as young girls...ladies in church, school teachers, maybe nurses or even next door neighbors. As I was growing up one thing I loved about being in a small church was the intimacy between people. I loved the Loyal Mothers Sunday school class. I guess I thought they were all in their 90's when in reality I would probably now fit into that class and I'm not 90. They always loved on us girls, some had candy in their purses and just about every one of them wore a hat to church. There were the Sunday school teachers, ladies in the choir, leaders in Bible school, and officers in the Ann Judson Women's Missionary Circle. Many of those ladies through my growing up years gave me more beneficial advice than they can ever know, and some hugged me even when they didn't know how badly I needed it. Who comes to your mind as you read this...what name that you too should stop, thank the Lord for their having been in your life.

I find it interesting that in Scripture, a woman is given two sources of spiritual counsel...her own husband and an older Godly lady. There is nothing said about running to a pastor, counselor of some sort, or even a psychiatrist. So if you are married, perhaps your husband isn't a spiritual leader or even a born again man. It makes no difference in Scripture...no exceptions.

So who are we to be as aged or older women in this role with younger women. First let me say that if you are in your 30's, you are an older woman to some younger women so don't draw an age line in this process. All of us, no matter our age have other young women or girls in our lives who at times need us...just as a young girl, the times I needed a hug from one of the Loyal Mothers even at the risk of her Sunday hat going alop on her head.

Sometime, look at Titus 2:3-5 as it lists our responsibilities both in our personal lives as well as in our influence in the lives of younger women. Some areas to be addressed are:

PERSONAL LIFE OF THE OLDER WOMAN:

Holy - This has to do with our lifestyle. We will not attain to God's holiness but we are to be women of holiness in our behavior.

Not false accusers – Slanderer which gossip can lead to.

Not given to much wine – This speaks for itself.

Teacher of good things - We have no idea how often we teach others that isn't formal teaching. Other ladies are learning from us all the time. We are being watched and sometimes questioned when we don't even realize it.

WHAT ARE WE TO TEACH THE YOUNGER WOMEN:

To be sober - Having a maturity of ones age, being serious about important things.

To love their husbands – This often had to be done. In those days most marriages were arranged. Sometimes a young woman married a man who was almost a total stranger. Love was often taught by the older women. Later in our list, obedience to husbands will be taught as well. That's almost a foreign subject anymore but it's still as much a part of Scripture as John 3:16.

To love their children – Are you aware that there are young women who have babies who really don't like, let alone love children. Sometimes for a first time mom, a baby comes and she is frightened of the responsibility of taking care of a baby when she doesn't even know how to change a diaper. The older woman who may be a relative or close family friend can do much in helping such a young frightened mom. Perhaps as the young mom relaxes, her affection for her child will increase.

To be discreet (discerning), chaste (pure in thought and action), keepers at home (good housekeepers, seeing to the needs of the home), good(useful, beneficial) - all of this so that God's Word won't be discredited before the world.

There is no way we will implement all of these things all the time in our conversations with others. However, we are to be prepared to minister in the lives of those younger than we are as their needs are made known to us. Many of us have already been in positions of being of help to younger women in our families and churches but it is a ministry that is on going and one to be taken seriously.

I know this is a heavier piece of writing but we live in such a busy world where people don't seem to have the time for others we once had. Something like trivial questions can be irksome and time consuming. If younger women don't have we Christian “older” ladies to turn to, they will go to the world, magazines, TV, and internet to get their advice and counsel. I'm grateful for those ladies who were willing to give me of their time, love, hugs and pieces of candy, who also gave to me a piece of themselves to aid in making my life richer, fuller and more Godly.

Thank you...Verna Benbrook, Lois Lanoue, Alma Lockman, Nellie Barker, Fern Mayer, Aunt Ida Mayer, Miss Irene, Rose Stephens, Helen Rennie, Marge Randolph, Virginia Otterson, Ruth Young, Jeanette Batts, Mrs. Crowell, Dr. McGill...and many more whose names leave me for the moment.

Take a couple of minutes and make your own list and thank God for each one who perhaps unknowingly taught you more than you will ever remember. The thing is, they probably won't remember their good influence in our lives but God knows and those Godly women we've had the privilege of being tutored by will one day know about it in full detail in Heaven.

Thank You Father for the godly older women you've allowed in the shaping of my life. Some I've known in church, some in school, some in college and others from most anywhere. You, Father, have brought them across my path to teach me Your ways and I thank you for each one. Amen!