A couple of weeks ago I received this message from an acquaintance of mine:
“Hi Holly, I know you’re really busy, but I really need an older woman I trust to give me some advice and counsel. I was wondering if it might be possible for us to get together once a month?”
.jpg)
I told her I would be glad to pray about it and that we would touch base in a week or so. As I thought about the topic for this month, I realized how many times I have been asked that question in one form or another, and how many different women the Lord has brought across my path over the years. Most of them have been a blessing!
In Luke chapter one, we have the opportunity to peek into the life of Mary, the mother of Christ, at a moment when she might have sent exactly the same message. We’re told that she left with haste after an angel informed her of God’s divine purpose for herself and her child.
She knew where she needed to go. Her relative, Elizabeth, who was much older and who had been barren all of her life, was also experiencing a God-ordained change. Mary stayed for three months with Elizabeth. Wouldn’t you love to know what was engrafted into her life as a result of that visit?
It is possible for us to miss divine connections because the enemy convinces us that we don’t have time, or that we have nothing to offer another woman. The problem with this lie is that the Lord has called us to encourage, train, and share with women behind us on the path about the lessons we have learned. Sometimes we share our victories, and sometimes we share our failures. As we do that, we also remember what God has done for us and how He has led us in paths of righteousness when we were willing to follow.
The way in which we participate in Titus 2 discipleship is dependent on the season of life we find ourselves in. If I am a mom with several children or if I am caring for elderly relatives, my time with other women may be more limited as I am busy with those consuming priorities. This doesn’t mean that I stop having relationships that are meaningful, just that I must be more creative in how I do that in some seasons of life. If I am single, or widowed, or an empty nester, I may find that I have more opportunity to give my time to investing woman to woman.
So let me ask you a few questions:
- Are you pursuing the relationships God brings across your path?
- Are you asking the Lord for courage to share your life with other women?
- When the Lord presents you with an opportunity, are you willing to say yes?
- Are you praying about how Titus 2 relationships can occur in this season of life? (James 4:2)
- Are you realizing that others’ questions are your Titus 2 moments, wrapped in their confusion and need?
All of us are to be connected to women ahead of us and to encourage women behind us. It’s God’s plan, and it works.
Leave a Comment:
We love hearing from you, and will post your comment as long as it is appropriate, and is written in a tone that is encouraging, edifying, and loving to others. Even then, know that the following comments do not necessarily reflect the views of Revive Our Hearts.
Comments
on Wednesday, November 25, 2009 at 10:48 am
My heart is saddened by this very thing...
The older women of our church group together in insecurity about their age and mistakes and say they are too busy--leaving the younger girls to fend for themselves. I am caught in the middle (age 34 with 2 kids) and I'm married to the pastor. I'm not sure how to bridge the gap...and I'm not sure how to get the older women to see how much the younger women need them. I've never had a mentor and sometimes am really hurt by that. All women's events/Bible studies are geared to be intergenerational and I try to incorporate all ages in the planning process, but the older women just won't come be part of the events. Any advice you all can give is much appreciated...sometimes I feel like giving up and only reaching backward because they are eager and hungry for Christ and His Word.
If you are older and reading this...please know that we need you and all you have to offer...someone is longing for your wisdom! =)
on Wednesday, November 25, 2009 at 10:56 am
In particular, my heart has been searching for a mentor and even when I didn't know that is what I was desiring, God provided them. Some in the form of messages through this ministry, and others in my every day life.
I want to thank you all at Revive Our Hearts for honoring God's call on your lives. And for continually encouraging those of us still searching for how and where we fit in God's plan at any season in our lives. I know I've been blessed by each and every message and resource and look forward to my continual growth in Christ.
I find that I am not afraid anymore to be engaged and allow those "Titus 2" moments to occur. I believe with all my heart that as God fills me up, through His word and His willing vessels, I can be used of Him to pour into other sisters in Christ at any time.
Please keep pouring out because there are those of us receiving those gifts of God for our everyday lives!
Be Blessed and have a wonderful Thanksgiving!
on Wednesday, November 25, 2009 at 1:08 pm
on Wednesday, November 25, 2009 at 1:40 pm
Thank you! I loved the questions you asked! These are good (needful) things for me to pray about. And you brought it to my attention here that praying about it all is a key!
I do desire to be used in a Titus 2 capacity, but feel I have fallen short, and know the Lord is still working quite a bit on me personally. May the Lord help me (and those like me) to know how and when to be that Titus 2 woman to other women (especially younger). As I think about the call to all Christians to evangelize and to make disciples, I am so blessed by the TW blog and all the practical helps for us as women. The Titus 2 mandate is surely one way women can pass on the faith to others! By the Holy Spirit's leading and enabling.
In His love to you all!
on Wednesday, November 25, 2009 at 1:50 pm
I am so grateful for ROH ministry and connecting me to godly older women through this ministry and you have been a very vital part since I met you. For many years, I've been longing to connect with other Christian women who would mentor me and I found that through ROH ministry. Our Father in heaven has connected me to other women I met through ROH ministry. I have desire to encourage other women in my church and GOD has directed in HIS unique way and gave me strength and grace to do that. I find that if I am willing HE bring those who need encouragement to my path.
Thank you Holly for your post!
on Wednesday, November 25, 2009 at 5:29 pm
Why is it that when the blog is on a theme like this it gets only 6 to join in the blog. But when the blog is about some hellish movie that is Satan driven the blog is filled to capacity?
Ladies, we better reach out and mentor in a God-driven way because our nation's stability is going down a rat hole unless we do. I am really very annoyed with the contention over something as devilish as hellywwood movies. (and books).
Is it that we don't make connections with those ladies because we so selcome see them in the places we go? Again, I remind you that "evil communication corrupts good manners" and I steer clear of those who read trash and frequent places I would be ashamed to go.
Mentoring will be lost if we do not fall on our faces before God and beg for revival in our country and churches. Unless we all recognize evil instead of defend it, our country will continue its downward decline.
on Thursday, November 26, 2009 at 12:03 am
Peace, love n' blessings to all.
on Thursday, November 26, 2009 at 6:02 pm
on Thursday, November 26, 2009 at 9:13 pm
I love learning from older ladies. Find ways in which they 'shine' and then ask them to share at a meeting. Tell them it would mean so much to younger ladies. In one of your meetings or Bible studies, ask an older lady what they do when they invite others to their home. Do they decorate, plan a meal, and how do they keep the conversation going? Although I grew up in a wonderful home, as a single adult 200 miles from home I needed these older moms to help me with many things about homemaking and hospitality.
To Sarah,
Adopt one of the older ladies. Invite her for a lunch or dinner. Plan a tea party or some other activity and have this lady come. I've been so blesssed by some of the ladies that God had me invite to my apartment for lunch or sometimes for dinner. They blessed me. I'll be praying that you'll try to connect with some of the ladies in your church. It's always hard to be a newcomer, but someone else needs your encouragement.
Trust God and reach out.
on Sunday, November 29, 2009 at 7:49 pm
I think the reason the other post received so much response was because it did hit a nerve and it hit a point at where there is disagreement. The reason so many don't respond to this post on mentoring is that it is something everyone can nod thier head to and say "yes, that is a need." I think the post earlier this month gave many women cause to search thier own hearts and motives as to the type of entertainment they engage in so that is a great post! I rejoice in the fact that it was discussed and both sides could try to listen and search the Scriptures for answers to something that obviously is an issue in the body of Christ today. Don't be discouraged ...be glad! Truth is not afraid and it doesn't need to be angry. It can be hidden though so when a blog gets a response then we can rejoice that truth is discussed. I appreciate your passion for Jesus.
As far as mentoring. I have a hard time not feeling like every one wants a mentor but no one wants to be one. It's hard to worry that someone will demand that I be their "mother". So many young ladies have rejected their mother's as mentors then when they get older and become involved in church they go looking for a "new mother". Sometimes we daughter's need to go back humbly to our own mom's and say "You did indeed tell me so" and now I am ready to listen. Wha llaaa...a instant mentor who loves you intensely and knows you intimately! Younger ladies who are looking for mentor's need to be sure they haven't overlooked or rejected their own mothers. I don't mean to be overly harsh but I do think some younger ladies need to consider their own mother's and possibly clearing up past offenses/bitterness so that a mentoring relationship can occur. (Shall I throw in mother-in-laws or is that going to far? I'm stepping on my own toes now! :) I have a wonderful godly mother-in-law but I tend to second guess everything she says because of being overly sensitive myself. I don't need to go looking for a mentor because God placed HER in my life. She is a blessing to me, when I choose to receive from her.
on Wednesday, December 2, 2009 at 9:48 am
on Friday, December 4, 2009 at 10:34 am