Younger Women Teaching Older Women – A Two Way Street

“One generation shall commend your works to another, and shall declare your mighty acts” 

Psalm 145:4
 

      
   
   One of the things I loved about my mother was her youthfulness.     Even in her 80's she  preferred to be around younger  people and would joke around and often break out with a case of uncontrollable giggles....  Please hold that thought a moment.

     Since I’ll be able to apply for Social Security this year,  (say it isn’t so)  there is absolutely no question  as to whether  I’m officially an “older woman".    Funny thing about the church is,   ready or not,  being in this age bracket seems to automatically catapult  the older woman to the status of  Grand Poobahess with the younger gals.    Well, I’m fully aware of the Titus 2 mandate to teach the younger women to love their children, husbands, and to take care of their homes   but I  also have to let you in on a little secret, unless of course you’re my age and you already know it.    And this is it:  As the old saying goes,  “I’ve forgotten more than you know.”    Seriously, I can hardly remember what I ate for dinner last night much less how I cared for my toddlers on a daily basis.   If I need to know anything about parenting  the  littles these days  I’ll  ask my daughter or daughter-in-law, or the  younger  women in our church or some of the moms  who blog.    Thankfully, I  can still remember plenty of Scripture,  but please don’t ask me where  they’re  located – that’s what pens and paper are for,  if I can remember where I put them.   

   Truly the most valuable offering I can  bring to the table is to proclaim  that  God has blessed me with more than six  decades  here on earth  and has  proven  to me  that His Word is true,  His promises can be relied upon,  and His mercies are new every morning.   Yes indeed, He is the Faithful One!    And in the end, isn’t this why God  created and saved us?     He has redeemed us to  glorify Himself through our  declaration of  His greatness  and mercy to the next generation in order to preserve His remnant until He returns.

    But today it’s been in my heart to express to  the  “younger” women  just  how much you minister to me – a sort of Titus 2 in reverse if you will.     And by younger, I’m referring to women younger than myself who are in many seasons of life:   Single women, young mom’s with little ones and older-younger moms whose kids are just leaving the nest.     Because of technology, the scope of interaction with other women is exceedingly broader than previous generations.    So,  not only am I blessed  by the young women in my own family and the  younger women in my church,  but I’m also  blessed  by the many   godly  women I’ve met through social media and blogging.    All of these relationships have enriched my life in many ways and here are a few.   So,  back to my mom’s youthfulness.     

• Godly younger women keep me current.   The last thing I want is to become one of those old ladies who bores everyone to tears with rehashed stories of my past.   (I hope my kids aren’t reading this).   Yes, God was faithful then, but He’s working TODAY and I want to know about it!  
• Godly younger women humble me.   Now that I’m way beyond "The Mommy Wars" I can observe young moms without prejudice and competitiveness.     I am amazed at how well  this  generation of Christian mommies are bringing up their children  in the fear and admonition of the Lord.   I know they have their frustrations and struggles like I did but I so admire their doctrinal depth and the practical applications of it in their homes.   This diligence is very humbling to me as I ponder how my family might have benefited had I been able to follow their example. 
• Godly younger women challenge me.   When young Christian women are in interested in the Word of God I really have to be on my toes!    I have a luxury I’ve never had before in that I have lots of quiet time  to pray and study and now is not the time for me to be lazy –  these women are hungry for truth and I need to keep my focus on Christ and the Scriptures not only for my sake but for theirs as well.
• Godly younger women encourage me to watch my speech.  I am reminded that I will give account for every careless and ungracious word spoken and it is the younger women who  inspire  me the most to remember this.   
• Godly younger women have taught me to listen.    It's been said, “The first duty of love is to listen.”     I have learned so much by listening to the younger women in my life whether it be through the written or spoken word.     Anyone who knows me personally, knows that I can be a real chatterbox and many of my elementary school report cards  attest to that fact.    When I first started blogging I would leave “comments” nearly as long as the post.   Oye.    By example,  my patient younger friends have taught me to (try and) put a lid on it.   
• And last but not least:  
•  Godly younger women have taught me that I am not above correction.    I am thankful  for the  reproof  and correction  (even though it stings my pride) by those  women in my life who truly love me.

 

“ Better was a poor and wise youth than an old and foolish king who no longer knew how to take advice.”  Ecclesiastes 4:13

 

 




 

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