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.