She grabbed my hand to thank me. Earlier that day, I had spoken at a luncheon for “Senior Saints” in the church. As she held my hand, tears brimming, she said, “Thank you for conveying to us how valuable we are to the Church; for calling us the ‘wisdom’ of the church body.”
I keep hearing her words in my head. I long to see older women coming alongside the younger. They could be such a blessing to the younger generation, but I wonder if they’re hesitant because they don’t think they have anything to offer . . .
Or perhaps they feel no one would listen.
When I travel to other countries, I see those who’ve lived long and full lives being respected for their knowledge and life experience. Our culture celebrates youth to the exclusion of our elders—and we are reaping the consequences of that silence.
We need to hear from those who’ve traveled life’s road much longer than we and glean from what they’ve learned through their years of living out the Truth of the Word. I long to hear from a woman in her eighties about how I can love Christ more. I want to hear older women talk about what they’ve seen God do, the prayers He’s answered; to rejoice with them over victories and be encouraged by their faithfulness.
All of us are in the “older woman” category in some sense—we all have younger women coming behind us—but I still consider myself young and needy enough to reach for input from elders.
Any suggestions on how we can encourage the older generation to share their wisdom?
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on Wednesday, May 30, 2012 at 6:42 am
on Wednesday, May 30, 2012 at 8:21 am
I take opportunities to speak into their lives when asked to but only after I listen to their lives.
Last summer I attended a True Woman in home study that included talk about mentoring; I sat quietly with my sister beside me, we, empty nesters, women who love the Lord dearly. We were given time to talk and share as all others present were. And we were admired but no connections developed as the group, of young moms, were busy chatting among themselves before and after.
It made me sad, for we were present, available, and participating actively but we weren't 'seen'.
Ladies, there are a some of us who have lived life intentionally as Godly women. We are on the path a bit ahead of younger women, we are there, look around you.
As a result, I continue to watch for younger women, greet them, listen to them, asking them questions about their lives, family, and praying for them.
I realize this is a different time in our Christian culture, few of us have significant relationships, we rather have lots of relationships.
on Wednesday, May 30, 2012 at 10:51 am
I hope I encourage younger women and I know they keep me up-to-date on social issues, etc., allowing me to express my opinion gleaned from my years of Bible study...life.
Many of my younger friends are very well founded in God's word and they also teach me.
As adults, I don't see age as much as I listen for mature Christ-based conversation/lifestyle. We learn from each other.
Joan
on Wednesday, May 30, 2012 at 11:45 am
on Wednesday, May 30, 2012 at 11:45 am
on Wednesday, May 30, 2012 at 2:13 pm
~Many of us 'younger' women have been well-schooled by the older generation to view independence as vital and virtuous, but it has led to no end of isolation and neediness.
~The 'older' women I ask about this topic know their own faults and failures all too well, including the previous mindset they have taught diligently, and feel sidelined by what they learned later was foolishness. {Birth control leading to few/no children, affirmation from career success instead of family success, not being more intentional about spiritual disciplines personally and in the family, etc are common arenas of regret.}
**but that is by nature WISDOM!! and something those of us coming along behind desperately need!
~*~ as I ask what the best way to find older women to mentor me or others, or to glean their precious wisdom, the most common response I receive is "just keep asking! we need to know that we are valued, wanted, needed."
>>> Wisdom jewels- we need you!! Your ability to glance behind is not yet ours, and your vantage point there is exceptionally helpful- you are valuable!!
At one point, I set up the older women in our church to host a Bible study for younger women in their homes to build a sense of knowing more about each other, and to facilitate building relationship. It worked well on a host of levels, learning in all directions, and community amongst the women of the church was greatly helped. The 'older' women signed up for one of the weeks of the study that I was leading our college/career age ladies through, provided refreshments and joined the study time with us as long as they were comfortable.
on Wednesday, May 30, 2012 at 3:05 pm