Teachers of Good Things

"...the 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, love their children, be discreet, chaste, homemakers, good, obedient to their own husbands, that the word of God may not be blasphemed."

Titus 2:3-5

A shocking thought occurred to me. I am an older woman. People my age are now Grandmothers. So like it or not, I am undeniably the "older" woman Paul spoke about in Titus 2.

So let me get this straight. According to this passage, Katrina must behave as those who love the Lord should. Reverent in the way she lives. She can't gossip or be a slave to wine. She must be a good homemaker and put her husband's needs before her own. She must be self-controlled. Pure. Sensible. Oh yeah, kindhearted too! She must teach what is proper so that the younger women will be loving wives and mothers. She must give wise counsel to others. Katrina must make sure it is "good things" she is teaching - and telling.

Simple. Except that Katrina is sometimes weak, tired, and fallible. Simple. Except that sometimes Katrina speaks before she thinks. Simple. Except that as a homemaker, Katrina had it all together, but she forgot where she put it! Simple. Yeah, right!

Not so simple, but one thing is clear: It is God's desire for older women to teach and disciple and encourage the younger women. An older, wiser Mother once told me, "Katrina, this too shall pass." Words of wisdom. It did pass! So now I must carry that torch and ask the Lord to help me do it His way. I'll have to trust Him to help me live and teach and tell "good things." Tell that younger Momma there is hope. One day, she will sleep again. Tell that wife to love her husband. One day, she'll be thankful she stayed the course.

Heavenly Father, I'm trusting You to help me be a teacher of "good things." In Jesus' name. Amen.

Do Not Lose Heart...Keep Sowing

Let us not grow weary while doing good, for in due season we shall reap if we do not lose heart. Therefore, as we have opportunity, let us do good to all...
Galatians 6:9-10a (NKJV)

Recently, I listened to a friend share her tender story of how she continues to show love toward a rather unlovable and virtually friend-less woman.

My friend has sacrificed her time, her own privacy, her own financial resources, and many other things because she believes God has a purpose in the two of them crossing paths. One day, my friend purchased a particular gift intended to meet a special need for the woman and the reaction she received over the gift was anything but grateful. It hurts when the gift we give is not the gift the person wanted - or in this woman's case - the gift she REALLY needed! What she needs is the love and mercy and forgiveness of a Savior. So my friend lovingly gave the woman a Bible. The best gift of all - The word of God!

So why should we keep loving the unlovely? We LOVE because Christ FIRST loved us in our unlovely condition, and He forgave us our sins also. My pastor said it best, when he advised me to "just keep ministering" to those who have hurt us. Just keep showing love. Just keep sowing the word. The word of God endures and does not return void. And at the appointed season, we will reap a harvest of blessing. So do not lose heart.

Just keep ministering. Just keep sowing. Just keep showing love.

Dear Heavenly Father, I thank You that when You sent Jesus to die on the cross, it was for all sin, even for future sins, which included our own. Thank You for loving us when sin in our lives has made us unlovely. Lord, I ask that You ripen and enhance the Fruit of the Spirit (love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control) in our lives so that we can keep ministering, and "...through love serve one another." (Galatians 5:13b) In Jesus name, Amen.

Rejoicing and Weeping

Rejoice with those who rejoice, and weep with those who weep. (Romans 12:15)

In times of sadness and loss, a bystander feels helpless and inadequate to effectively minister to the needs of a friend or a loved one who is hurting. It just seems that there are no right words and no perfect deed that will ease their pain. But God....because He is able, can do exceedingly and abundantly MORE than we could ask or think or even imagine. (Ephesians 3:20) So we simply GO...feeling emptyhanded and speechless, but we offer whatever we have, and somehow the love of Christ pours through us and gives them a hug - or just allows us to cry beside them. He is the God of all comfort. We can trust that He is enough and that He has already strengthened us (for the task) according to the riches of His glory. (Eph. 3:16)

Dear Heavenly Father, Thank you that even though we "feel" inadequate for the circumstances at hand, Your word promises that the unlimited power of Your Son, Jesus Christ, is working in and through us as believers, therefore we ARE able to comfort another. In His sweet name. Amen.