The aged women in Titus 2:3-5 are to behave like holy women. That’s pretty straight forward, right? But Paul continues with some specifics because he thought the aged women might want some practical hints.
First, not false accusers. Older women are to watch what they say, careful to safeguard information that is confidential, and particularly not passing on false accusations. Women are sometimes tempted to attribute motives, and it is tempting to pass on their own opinions as though they were the actual facts of the case.
Second, not given to much wine. I suppose older women may have more leisure time to indulge in wine and that is why they are singled out for this exhortation. Older women are to be temperate, setting a good example for the younger generations. So older women are not to be party animals, not to always have a glass of wine in their hands. They are to be sober (serious); they are to be wise.
Third, they are to teach good things. The aged women are to be busy teaching the younger women good things. This doesn’t necessarily mean a class room setting. They may be teaching their own daughters and granddaughters, as well as other younger women with whom they have opportunity. Continue reading ‘The Aged Women’
I don’t know of anyone who doesn’t look forward to grand-kids. And, I have to say, it is even better than they all say it is. For the past ten years or so we have had a baby or two to love on, and it has been very kind of God to give us another dose of babies after we have seen our own grow up. And after the baby stage, it keeps getting better.
But anyway. Despite the glory and joy of it all, grandmothers are still prone to fleshly temptations, just like we were when we weren’t grandmas. Big news, I know. If only the gray hair would bring perfection with it, wouldn’t that be nice? But, sorry to say, so far it hasn’t for me or anyone else I know.
So I am about to address one of those fleshly temptations, one that I have heard about quite a bit from young mothers, and I have seen first hand. It is this: grandparents hate to see their little adorable grandchildren receive correction and discipline from their parents. I’m not sure why it is so hard for grandparents, especially Christian grandparents, who really do believe what the Bible says about a father Continue reading ‘Grandmotherly Temptations’
Many of you readers out there, from what I can gather, are young or youngish, so you may not be able to relate to this little post. But, depending on your outlook, I am pretty youngish myself, even though I am a grandmother of thirteen.
Doug and I stayed at a bed and breakfast in Maryland that some of his family’s long-time friends own and run. These long-time friends are in their eighties, and they maintain their home, guest rooms, and lovely grounds largely by themselves, as well as preparing delightful breakfasts for their guests at some pretty outlandish hours in the morning. We were struck by their kindness, their hard work, and their cheerfulness, the way they take everything in stride with competence and ease of spirit. They have served the Lord for many years together, and they know how to stay in step.
The biblical outlook on age and aging is antithetical to our culture’s infatuation with youthfulness and immaturity. The Bible describes the gray head as a crown of glory, and living to see your descendents’ descendents as a great blessing from God. The older we get, the more we should attain to wisdom, and this is our glory. The world, on the other hand, is seeking the fountain of youth, not interested in a godly wisdom. But it’s not enough to nod our heads at this while we really have more in common with the world’s take on aging. We Christians must truly believe what God says about this. Continue reading ‘Getting Old?’
Women are designed by God to be flexible, but that doesn’t mean it is always easy. Sometimes we have a little stiffness, a little resistance to change. It’s hard to give way when we are accustomed to things as they are. We can feel a little insecure about who we are or what we’re supposed to be doing. But there is no sin in “adjusting” to change. Though it can be uncomfortable initially to adapt and stretch into new circumstances, if we just catch our breath, we’ll be okay. This is just normal.
Though I’ve seen women go through times like this at just about every stage of life, it’s very predictable with women whose children have finished school and moved out and on. These women can feel very much at loose ends, with time on their hands. And it’s this group of women I’d like to address here.
It’s tempting to think that you ought to go get a job. But let me give you a few other suggestions. First of all, if you are a wife, your primary job as your husband’s helper has not changed. He still needs you, and it may be the first time in a long time he has your undivided attention. People have asked me if it’s weird having an “empty nest” now, and I have to say, no, not at all. Not because I didn’t adore having a full nest. But when we first Continue reading ‘Loose Ends’
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