Titus 2 in the Bible commends all Christian women to be mentors:
“But as for you, speak the things which are fitting for sound doctrine. Older women likewise are to be reverent in their behavior, not malicious gossips nor enslaved to much wine, teaching what is good, so that they may encourage the young women to love their husbands, to love their children, to be sensible, pure, workers at home, kind, being subject to their own husbands, so that the word of God will not be dishonored. (Titus 2:1, 3-5 NASB)
I have found that no matter what age a woman is, she is always an “older woman” to someone. She always has the potential to mentor a daughter, sister, peer, or younger woman in her church or community. I try to follow this directive and pursue mentoring relationships with the young women God has placed in my sphere of influence. I also try to seek out women who are older or more experienced than I am. At this stage in my life, my “personal ad” would say something like this:
Seeking woman in mid-30’s-60’s, in love with Jesus, thrivingly married with flourishing children; coffee or tea connoisseur; willing to share been-there-done-that stories, lessons-learned, and friendship with a 20-something wife of 2 years.
I really do believe in mentorship; unfortunately finding the right “match” can be difficult, both in scheduling and personalities. I recently pursued some women in my small-town community that are “doing it right.” These are women whom I would like to pattern my ambitions and habits after. But many times this quest for mentorship is difficult. These women are in the thick of motherhood and marriage; picking their brains and hearts for an hour or two over coffee every Thursday can be a little tricky.
I have to say, I have been so blessed by the online encouragement I receive from special women who are taking the Titus 2 role seriously. These are not women with success stories, but rather women with work-in-progress stories. They have not all conquered bad eating habits or negative thought processes. They don’t all manage time or their homes effectively; and they don’t have the perfect pinterest board or even a complete life plan. They all probably have life-hiccups and horrible attitudes sometimes and moments where they doubt what God plans for them. Regardless, they have all submitted themselves to Jesus Christ and the refining process of the Holy Spirit. These women “work out [their] salvation with fear and trembling”… and I can tell from their stories that “it is God who is at work in [them], both to will and to work for His good pleasure.” (Philippians 2:12, 13)
So here are my Titus 2 Women, the ladies I look up to for a godly example of the kind of woman I aspire to be at their age/stage of life:
My Mother:
Theresa Conger has always been an example of a woman submitted to God’s grace in every circumstance. Through many challenges, she remains faithful to God and her husband, my dad. Like I mentioned above, she is not perfect, but she is blessed and has blessed me with many important nuggets of wisdom, both spoken to me and lived out for me to watch. A mother to 3 daughters which she homeschooled not just in academics but also being a lady, wife, and mother–she is my example in so many ways on biblical womanhood. Now, as a grandma to my awesome nephew and niece, I am learning more from her still as she explores a new stage of her life. She is going to start blogging soon, I hope, at theresaconger.wordpress.com.
Joy Fuller:
I stumbled upon Joy just today actually. She blogs at gracefullmama.com A friend posted her “20 Things I want to tell all Engaged and Newlywed Women” on her facebook, to which I was instantly curious.
Turns out, she is the gorgeous wife to a missionary pilot in Indonesia, mother to 5 kids, and an inspiring encourager to young women like me. I only browsed her blog for a half hour, but I realized I was lighter in mind and spirit afterwards. I really appreciate the pages she has on “Marriage” and “Sisterhood,” and I know someday the mothering advice she offers will come in handy too. I am really blessed to find a woman faithful to the Lord and willing to share that with others.
Amy Bowman:
Amy’s blog, New Nostalgia, popped up when I clicked on a pinterest comment one day; it changed my thinking toward life, blogging, and being an available encourager via the internet. I appreciate Amy’s openness about her battle with breast cancer when she was a young mother, and her appreciate for life post-cancer. She has a penchant for the simple and the joyful, something I often need to refocus on in a chaotic life of ministry. Follow her journey with me at New Nostalgia.
Grace Driscoll:
Wife to dynamic Bible teacher Mark Driscoll, Grace has come along side God’s work in her husband and has been a major encourager to me in my marriage and ministry with Shane. Grace seems to truly live up to her name as she has learned to handle each ministry challenge, each past sin, each scrutiny of the public with grace and trust in the Lord and her husband. I applaud her for laying bare so many intimate details of her life and marriage so that others, like myself, could be encouraged and learn from her. She speaks with her husband in many of Mars Hill Church’s sermon podcasts, and co-wrote Real Marriage with her husband. Learn more at The Resurgence.
Finally, I have to include this incredible resource for all women who wish to be mentors to younger women in this fallen world.
Flourish is meant to be a website encouraging pastor’s wives and women in ministry. I truly believe that all Christian women have a ministry as a mentor to one or more younger women, thus this website is encouraging to all of us.
My hope and prayer is that God would use me in a similar way that the above women have touched my heart through sharing the work of the Holy Spirit in their own lives. I have gained a deeper perspective of God, a realistic expectation of my future self, and a greater understanding of this life’s journey.
Praise God for Titus 2 women.
(Hey look what I found, a whole list of Titus 2 women, linked up for Titus 2-Tuesday…. Quite possibly my new favorite thing. Click on the link below.)
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