Let me be a woman...
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“The way you keep your house, the way you organize your time, the care you take in your personal appearance, the things you spend your money on, all speak loudly about what you believe. The beauty of thy peace shines forth in an ordered life. A disordered life speaks loudly of disorder in the soul.”
―
Yesterday, for the first time in my life, I witnessed road rage.
I mean, I have seen road rage on television, but have not experienced it personally, Until yesterday.
My mom and I were in my car together. A lady pulled up right behind me, almost in the trunk of my car, honking and waving and screaming at us.
It got worse. I won't go into further details, but I will just say that I got a good look at the lady who was losing her mind.
She was older than me. Possibly a grandmother.
When the incident was over, I was shaking.
In the middle of the night last night, I woke up thinking about this lady. Her arms flailing wildly, mouthing obscene words, and wanting me to pull over so she could have it out with me.
I immediately began praying for her. She was lost. She was angry. She was clearly an unhappy woman.
Lord, does she have children? Grandchildren?
My heart was filled with sadness thinking about her.
God has been speaking to my heart about my example to those around me.
As I get older, I have this responsibility. This calling to those coming up behind me.
Titus 2 lays it out for me.
Likewise, teach the older women to be reverent in the way they live, not to be slanderers or addicted to much wine, but to teach what is good. 4 Then they can urge the younger women to love their husbands and children, 5 to be self-controlled and pure, to be busy at home, to be kind, and to be subject to their husbands, so that no one will malign the word of God. Titus 2:3-5
When I was a decade younger, I searched for these women. I craved the companionship of older, wiser women. There seemed to be very few to be found, if I am honest.
I prayed daily for this kind of woman to come into my life.
God did answer. These women came in seasons. Sprinkled in from time to time, just when I needed them most.
He also sent books for me to read from older, wiser women.
Elisabeth Elliot, Catherine Marshall, Martha Peace, Debi Pearl...to name a few.
These women have taught me so much through the years.
But, it doesn't stop here.
We have a responsibility.
To teach the younger women.
To lead by example.
I began asking the Lord recently why it seems the older women He put in my life have disappeared....
I now see.
I have a calling to do.
What has been poured into me, must be poured out to others.
I would love to just sit at the feet of some of my mentors and store up all the wisdom.
But, God calls us to share it. Teach it. Encourage others with what we have learned.
When it is easy to become selfish these days because my kids are more independent. My time is more flexible.
I know that selfishness will only steal what God has planned for my life as I become an "older woman".
If I spend all of my time in spas, getting facials, working on my body, eating out excessively with my friends, shopping and decorating my house again and again....
I become frivolous instead of wise.
I deny my God given role of this upcoming season of my life.
If I become a lover of self...which the bible warns us about in 2 Timothy, I deny the Lord. I deny the reason I was created.
For people will love only themselves and their money. They will be boastful and proud, scoffing at God, disobedient to their parents, and ungrateful. They will consider nothing sacred. 2 Timothy 3:2
Our children need role models.
The young mother down the street is desperate for wise counsel.
Our husbands need a responsible and prudent wife who is wise with their money.
It's time we grow up.
The world beckons us to stay young. Social media influencers luring us to buy things that will improve our appearance and keep us youthful. Many women have made a heck of a living enticing other women to shop, buy, and shop some more.
Many of us are just searching for the fountain of youth.
Here is a secret....it does not exist.
For those of us over the age of 30...
Let's heed this call.
What are those coming up behind us seeing?
Many times children are seeing us excessively on our phones, ignoring them all the while, filling up our time with social media, text messaging, ministry work, indulging and binging on tv shows, or the latest town gossip.
“She looks well to the ways of her household and does not eat the bread of idleness.” Proverbs 31:27
How well do we spend our free time?
Be very careful, then, how you live—not as unwise but as wise, making the most of every opportunity, because the days are evil. Ephesians 3:2
How are we spending our money?
Jesus answered, “If you want to be perfect, go, sell your possessions and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven. Then come, follow me.” Matthew 19:21
How are we treating our neighbors?
‘You shall love your neighbor as yourself.’ There is no other commandment greater than these.” Matthew 12:31
How do we react when we think no one is looking?
For nothing is hidden that will not become evident, nor anything secret that will not be known and come to light. Luke 8:17
How do we treat servers and wait staff?
Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit. Rather, in humility value others above yourselves.. Philippians 2:3
Are finding ourselves too busy to invest in the lives others?
Teach us to number our days so that we may gain a heart of wisdom. Psalm 90:12
No matter what season of life that you are in the moment..
You have a purpose and a calling as a woman.
Instead of running from it, or looking for others to do it for us....
Let's step up to the plate.
Humbly asking the Lord, "How can I serve others today?"
“All creatures, with two exceptions that we know of, have willingly taken the places appointed to them. The Bible speaks of angels who rebelled and therefore were cast down out of heaven, and of the fall of man.”-Elisabeth Elliot
accepting the call,
jill
Subscribe to SHINE emails: Go here.
“The way you keep your house, the way you organize your time, the care you take in your personal appearance, the things you spend your money on, all speak loudly about what you believe. The beauty of thy peace shines forth in an ordered life. A disordered life speaks loudly of disorder in the soul.”
―
Yesterday, for the first time in my life, I witnessed road rage.
I mean, I have seen road rage on television, but have not experienced it personally, Until yesterday.
My mom and I were in my car together. A lady pulled up right behind me, almost in the trunk of my car, honking and waving and screaming at us.
It got worse. I won't go into further details, but I will just say that I got a good look at the lady who was losing her mind.
She was older than me. Possibly a grandmother.
When the incident was over, I was shaking.
In the middle of the night last night, I woke up thinking about this lady. Her arms flailing wildly, mouthing obscene words, and wanting me to pull over so she could have it out with me.
I immediately began praying for her. She was lost. She was angry. She was clearly an unhappy woman.
Lord, does she have children? Grandchildren?
My heart was filled with sadness thinking about her.
God has been speaking to my heart about my example to those around me.
As I get older, I have this responsibility. This calling to those coming up behind me.
Titus 2 lays it out for me.
Likewise, teach the older women to be reverent in the way they live, not to be slanderers or addicted to much wine, but to teach what is good. 4 Then they can urge the younger women to love their husbands and children, 5 to be self-controlled and pure, to be busy at home, to be kind, and to be subject to their husbands, so that no one will malign the word of God. Titus 2:3-5
When I was a decade younger, I searched for these women. I craved the companionship of older, wiser women. There seemed to be very few to be found, if I am honest.
I prayed daily for this kind of woman to come into my life.
God did answer. These women came in seasons. Sprinkled in from time to time, just when I needed them most.
He also sent books for me to read from older, wiser women.
Elisabeth Elliot, Catherine Marshall, Martha Peace, Debi Pearl...to name a few.
These women have taught me so much through the years.
But, it doesn't stop here.
We have a responsibility.
To teach the younger women.
To lead by example.
I began asking the Lord recently why it seems the older women He put in my life have disappeared....
I now see.
I have a calling to do.
What has been poured into me, must be poured out to others.
I would love to just sit at the feet of some of my mentors and store up all the wisdom.
But, God calls us to share it. Teach it. Encourage others with what we have learned.
When it is easy to become selfish these days because my kids are more independent. My time is more flexible.
I know that selfishness will only steal what God has planned for my life as I become an "older woman".
If I spend all of my time in spas, getting facials, working on my body, eating out excessively with my friends, shopping and decorating my house again and again....
I become frivolous instead of wise.
I deny my God given role of this upcoming season of my life.
If I become a lover of self...which the bible warns us about in 2 Timothy, I deny the Lord. I deny the reason I was created.
For people will love only themselves and their money. They will be boastful and proud, scoffing at God, disobedient to their parents, and ungrateful. They will consider nothing sacred. 2 Timothy 3:2
Our children need role models.
The young mother down the street is desperate for wise counsel.
Our husbands need a responsible and prudent wife who is wise with their money.
It's time we grow up.
The world beckons us to stay young. Social media influencers luring us to buy things that will improve our appearance and keep us youthful. Many women have made a heck of a living enticing other women to shop, buy, and shop some more.
Many of us are just searching for the fountain of youth.
Here is a secret....it does not exist.
For those of us over the age of 30...
Let's heed this call.
What are those coming up behind us seeing?
Many times children are seeing us excessively on our phones, ignoring them all the while, filling up our time with social media, text messaging, ministry work, indulging and binging on tv shows, or the latest town gossip.
“She looks well to the ways of her household and does not eat the bread of idleness.” Proverbs 31:27
How well do we spend our free time?
Be very careful, then, how you live—not as unwise but as wise, making the most of every opportunity, because the days are evil. Ephesians 3:2
How are we spending our money?
Jesus answered, “If you want to be perfect, go, sell your possessions and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven. Then come, follow me.” Matthew 19:21
How are we treating our neighbors?
‘You shall love your neighbor as yourself.’ There is no other commandment greater than these.” Matthew 12:31
How do we react when we think no one is looking?
For nothing is hidden that will not become evident, nor anything secret that will not be known and come to light. Luke 8:17
How do we treat servers and wait staff?
Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit. Rather, in humility value others above yourselves.. Philippians 2:3
Are finding ourselves too busy to invest in the lives others?
Teach us to number our days so that we may gain a heart of wisdom. Psalm 90:12
No matter what season of life that you are in the moment..
You have a purpose and a calling as a woman.
Instead of running from it, or looking for others to do it for us....
Let's step up to the plate.
Humbly asking the Lord, "How can I serve others today?"
“All creatures, with two exceptions that we know of, have willingly taken the places appointed to them. The Bible speaks of angels who rebelled and therefore were cast down out of heaven, and of the fall of man.”-Elisabeth Elliot
accepting the call,
jill
