A Titus 2 Lesson

About a month ago, I had the privilege to speak to a group of women at my church who call themselves "The Mature Women of Grace". MWOG's for short. I was slightly overwhelmed over what I, a 54 year old woman, could possibly say to a group of seasoned, older women. They have lived, and loved, and lost, and experienced so much more than I have. What could I say to them that they didn't already know?

Knowing that my only hope was the Word of God, I found myself in Paul's letter to Titus.

"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 train 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." (Titus 2:3-5)

After a little bible study, I was impressed in my spirit to let these precious women know that we, the younger generations following after them, needed them. They have been commissioned by God in His Word to train us and to teach us. We need them. In our fast-paced, disposable society, our elders can often feel cast aside and useless. They may feel that their usefulness has outlived itself and they should just be quiet, sit in a corner, and wait to be taken to glory. According to Scripture, that is the farthest thing from the truth. 

You may be a Timothy (perhaps of the female persuasion) today. You're raising littles or you're just finding your way in life. Or you may be a Eunice, like me, in the middle aged years of life. Still parenting, now grandparenting, experiencing a mixture of the stages of life, wondering where you go from here.  (2 Timothy 1: 5) But can I tell you something? We need those Lois's. We need the wisdom they have gleaned through years of experience doing this thing called "life". We need them to pass down their faith, the Word of God, and godly counsel. We need to be listening to women who have not followed the ways or wisdom of this world, but the ways of God. Those who have stood strong, fought the good fight, are finishing the race, and have something to share with us.  

With that in mind, as we closed that day, I asked each MWOG to write down, on an index card, one piece of advice they would give to those of us in the younger generations that follow them. I would like to share some of their words with you. I pray that in the way that only God can do, His Spirit will give YOU a word for today, for this season of life you are experiencing; for such a time as this.

• No matter how tired or busy you are, you are never to let a day go by without doing a kindness to someone!
• Guard your hearts from evil, letting the words and the meditation of your heart be pleasing to God. (Psalm 19:14)
• Patience
• Remember God loves you and you are never alone.
• God never comes too early and He never comes too late. Wait upon the Lord and accept His answers.
• Let go and let God.
• Read your Bible. Pray everyday if you want to grow. There is joy in serving Jesus.
• Look for God's hands on your life, and His grace. Trust Him and wait on His will for your life.
• Try to be an example to your family and those around you. 
• Share your thoughts to others with God's love and His Word, using Scripture.
• Listen more than speak and be very aware or discerning of tensions building in relationships. 
• Be not moved by the things that are urgent but keep your mind on the important things.

These words are profound in their simplicity. Maybe that's what happens as we grow older. As one of the ladies said, perhaps the urgent things step aside for the important things. As it should be. Oh, that we could learn that lesson earlier than our golden years!

Thank you to all of the Lois's in our lives who are willing to teach us by their words, their experience, and their godly example. We need you. We value you. We are listening to you.

Lord, help those of us who are Eunices and Timothys to heed the advice and imitate the faith of those who come before us.