My thoughts for June: the role of older women
My thoughts for the coming month
The verses I have selected for June are ones we all know very well - the role of older women teaching and instructing younger women (Titus 2:3-5). However, times have changed and older women are not respected (in fact they often complain they have become invisible in today society) and younger women think they know everything. Sadly, many young women are struggling—they are uncertain of their role in society, they are exhausted with the combination of work and young children, they have become increasingly selfish (like the rest of society), the amount they drink has increase dramatically and they are taking on much more risky behaviours (similar to young men). They are in need of guidance but sadly, instead of talking with older more mature women, they ask their peers which only leads to greater mess.
On the flip side, when a younger women searches for an older woman she finds it difficult as many older women are not willing to step into the role of mentor. Older women often feel unqualified, concerned, and fearful of over committing or they are just too busy with other activities that they don't have the time. Older women do not need to be qualified nor do they need to be perfect — but they do need to be:
Available
A good listener
Honest
A teacher
An example
An encourager
Willing to help
Godly women
Young women need older women to come alongside them, give them help and support, and offer words of wisdom and a godly example. Younger women need the experience and endurance of older women. God has given older women this special responsibility and we need to step up and do what is expected to help women who are younger in age or in the faith to grow in godly womanhood.
Younger women need older women—it really is that simple.
You may not call yourself "older" but every woman is an "older woman" to someone. Why not make June the month you take someone under your wing and encourage and nurture them in their walk with God.
You may not call yourself "older" but every woman is an "older woman" to someone. Why not make June the month you take someone under your wing and encourage and nurture them in their walk with God.
Bible verses for the coming month
Older women likewise, that they be reverent in behavior, not slanderers, not given to much wine, teachers of good things— that they admonish the young women to love their husbands, to love their children, to be discreet, chaste, homemakers, good, obedient to their own husbands, that the word of God may not be blasphemed.
(Titus 2: 3-5)
Quote of month
One of the challenges I repeatedly hold out to the people of our church—especially the women—is that they make it one of their aims to age into a sage. I love the vision of older women full of seasoned spiritual fruit that comes only with long life and much affliction and deep meditation on the Word of God. So many younger women yearn for older women, who are deeply wise, to share the wisdom God has taught them over the years.
John Piper—When I Don’t Desire God, Crossway, 2004
Hymn for the coming month
~ Just a closer walk with thee ~
I am weak, but Thou art strong;
Jesus, keep me from all wrong;
I’ll be satisfied as long
As I walk, let me walk close to Thee.
Refrain
Just a closer walk with Thee,
Grant it, Jesus, is my plea,
Daily walking close to Thee,
Let it be, dear Lord, let it be.
Through this world of toil and snares,
If I falter, Lord, who cares?
Who with me my burden shares?
None but Thee, dear Lord, none but Thee.
Refrain
When my feeble life is o’er,
Time for me will be no more;
Guide me gently, safely o’er
To Thy kingdom shore, to Thy shore.
Refrain
Every word you said so true! Great post!!
ReplyDeleteNancy
Thankyou Nancy :) Have a wonderful day.
DeleteAn older woman to take me under her wing? That sounds great =)
ReplyDelete:) It does :)
DeleteWhat a lovely post ... I especially loved your comment re the challenge for women to "age into a sage." Yes! My feelings as well. When I was a young woman I used long for someone to mentor me about walking life's path. For the most part, I found my mentoring through authors and books, and now that I'm of 'a certain age' I am feeling that urge to write my own stories as my way of giving into to the next generation ... as well as to women of my own generation too.
ReplyDeleteThank you so much for sharing your heart with us today. Wishing you glimpses of heaven in unexpected places...
Brenda
I have had older women in my life, each with their own special gift - none have been a mentor in the true sense of the word, but I feel that these women have each taught me things that are important and I hope I am able to pass on their wisdom to other women. Women, through the generations have been helping each other, I think its something that is very important and we need to keep it going as God intended. Blessings
Deletethank you for the great article
ReplyDeleteThankyou for stopping by :)
DeleteI agree with you. This mentorship from older godly women is lacking. with various government laws , new societal trends there is need for matured Christian women to guide the ladies teen girls in the way of the Lord. I hope I can do that if the Lord permit.
ReplyDeleteBlessings to you
I agree - it is much needed and hopefully more Christian ladies step up for the job as its very important. :) God bless
DeleteGreat post! As someone in their early thirties I am in this period of time where I have an older mentor, but also looking to mentors those younger than me. It is so important!
ReplyDeleteSo glad you have a mentor, makes life so much easier and sweeter :)
DeleteWe need 3 types of women in our lives. Spiritually Older women who can mentor us. Spiritually younger women who we can teach and Spiritually similar women with whom we can share our lives. Thanks for your post.
ReplyDeleteHi Karen - the bible only refers to older women taking younger women under their wings, I think this was because younger women were leading each other a stray. I do think it is important to have friends to lean on and help which is a little different to the mentoring from older women. We don't live on an island, instead a community and its so important for women to build a sisterhood as they have done for centuries - it keeps us going and makes us stronger. :)
DeleteYes. This is so vital - especially in this age of peer-led society. Older women need to take up their responsibility, and equally so, young women need to take up their position and BE teachable!
ReplyDeleteSadly it isn't working very well and neither party wanted it to work the way it once did :(
Delete