"Older women likewise are to be reverent in their behavior, not malicious gossips nor enslaved to much wine, teaching what is good, so that they may encourage the young women to love their husbands, to love their children, to be sensible, pure, workers at home, kind, being subject to their own husbands, so that the word of God will not be dishonored." (Titus 2:3-5)
I can remember reading these verses for a Bible study when we lived back in Rock Rapids, Iowa. I was newly married and I definitely considered myself one of the "young women" in our group. I looked around at the gray haired ladies in our group and soaked in all they had to say about life, parenting, and marriage.
I still feel very much like that young, insecure girl quite often. I feel like everyone else knows what they're doing, but I'm just playing house. I still need to learn from ladies who are older than I am. They have so much to teach me.
This past Sunday I celebrated a special birthday. I turned (gulp) fifty! It was a nice day, full of cards and expressions of love from my friends and family. No big party or anything, but lots of little things to make the day special.
Since then, though, I have found myself being startled by a random thought every once in a while. "My life is half over!" And then I think a little more and realize it's probably more than half over because not everyone makes it to 100 years old. That's sobering.
It doesn't depress me, but it does make me want to take stock of my life and make sure I'm doing what God has called me to do. I've been lots of places and accomplished quite a few things in my first fifty years, but I want to get more deliberate about accomplishing some more things on my bucket list before I kick the proverbial bucket.
I also realize that I'm one of the "older women" in those verses from Titus 2. I hope I'm encouraging younger women in their relationships even as I continue to learn from those older than me.
Whatever your age, you can keep learning from older Christians and look for younger people to encourage and teach. Don't stop until you drop!
"Teach us to number our days aright, that we may gain a heart of wisdom." (Psalm 90:12 NIV)
How old are you? How old do you feel? How can focusing on God help you to "number your days aright" and do what He has planned for you? How can you encourage someone younger than you?
Thanks for your wise words, Robyn. What a gift that the Lord gives us multi-generational friends to do life with and to learn from!
ReplyDeleteThanks Stephanie! It really is a gift. We need to be intentional about those relationships, even though it takes time and effort. I plan to read your book sometime in the near future...it looks really good (even thought I've never been on a blind date and I've been married for 26 years) :-)
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