You Want Me To Do What?

                                 Take a bit of time to reflect on these verses.

Titus 2:3-5 

 ³The aged women likewise, that they be in behaviour as becometh holiness, not false accusers, not given to much wine, teachers of good things;

 ⁴That they may teach the young women to be sober, to love their husbands, to love their children,

 ⁵To be discreet, chaste, keepers at home, good, obedient to their own husbands, that the word of God be not blasphemed.

        Now stop.  Stick the car in reverse. Read these verses again.

Well I don't know about you, but when I read these verses I question myself. My family is my song, my heart station, but do they know that? Do my children think I'm a good Mom? Does my husband take joy in me as his bride? How does the world see me as mother, wife? What will I be remembered as, what is the mark on my life? Does it say loving wife and mother? Does it say wise counsel? Does my home show that I am happy to be in my station?

  Titus two women are supposed to be the older (wiser) ladies of the "church". Their role is to counsel and nurture the younger women and new Christians of the "church". You know the "walk with the wise and you will grow wise" routine? They are supposed to show by example how we should strive to conduct ourselves. In light of that I became frustrated as a young bride/mother. I wanted mature godly women in the community of believers I could turn to for guidance. I longed for such women to just appear in the church I attended. I mourned for the lack there of.

  Eventually I learned "older" is a relative term. I began to notice like minded individuals regardless of age. I learned that "wise" came in many forms. I began to have ears to listen and eyes to see. I was being softened and molded by God as I went about my life. I had a million questions, well I still do, don't you? I wanted to know efficient ways to clean, wonderful recipes to try, the best place to buy this, how to schedule for that. I wanted the secret for how to "get it all done" and to also "guard my time".  What I did learn in these categories I picked up from many different people and sources. Some were a far cry from the sweet little elderly ladies I had pictured in my mind.God showed me how he can use the most unlikely of individuals to do his good works.

           Take a few minutes to read the lyrics to the following song.

I don't mind if you've got something nice to say about me
And I enjoy an accolade like the rest
You could take my picture and hang it in a gallery
Of all who's who and so-n-so's that used to be the best
At such'n'such ... it wouldn't matter much

I won't lie, it feels alright to see your name in lights
We all need an 'Atta boy' or 'Atta girl'
But in the end I'd like to hang my hat on more besides
The temporary trappings of this world 

I want to leave a legacy
How will they remember me?
Did I choose to love? Did I point to You enough
To make a mark on things?
I want to leave an offering
A child of mercy and grace who
blessed your name unapologetically
And leave that kind of legacy 

I don't have to look too far or too long awhile
To make a lengthly list of all that I enjoy
It's an accumulating trinket and a treasure pile
Where moth and rust, thieves and such will soon enough destroy

Not well traveled, not well read, not well-to-do or well bred
Just want to hear instead, "Well Done" good and faithful one... 

Legacy/Nichole Nordeman

I have the chorus of this song on my facebook side column. This is where you are invited to write something about yourself.  I also have a hand written copy on the cork board in our school room. We all say & do things we regret, or in time come to regret. Having these lyrics posted is a daily reminder for me of who I want to be, how I want to live my life and how I want to be remembered. For me, this song is a pointed arrow right to the scriptures mentioned above. It is a reminder to me to be kind even when I don't want to. A prick to extend myself, so that others really do know how precious they are to me, A humbling message to  go about my duties with joy "as unto the Lord". A message to strive for consistency.

 God has pressed even further, He has made it clear that I am a Titus two woman. I am to be what I always longed to have. 

WHAT? 

How can it be?

I'm not old? 

I have so much more to learn. 

These are the words that I silently screamed. God waited while I threw my fit, then He lead me to this simplistic truth; we are all Titus 2 women. You are never too young. It does not mean you are super woman or some ultra holy being. In fact I think if you puff yourself up in self professed wisdom you will fall hard off of your pedestal. I think those that act as though they never lived through trial are missing the whole point. I think turning your nose up at someone with less understanding than you have attained is like spitting venom at God himself. 

  God has made it clear that refusal to be a Titus two woman isn't really among my choices. Little children, youth, adults, they will all be watching and evaluating my conduct whether I want them to or not. Likewise I clearly have no grounds to complain if I refuse to do anything about the problem. Therefore I have set out to purposefully strive for self control, moral character and honorable stewardship. I aim to encourage others in godly choices. To pray for whatever need is brought to my attention. My aim is to give comfort, to uplift a spirit, to lighten a load.

  I certainly don't have all the answers, who but God does? However I have lived through many trials, more importantly I am willing to humbly share what I learned along the way. Sometimes I made right choices, and sometimes completely wrong ones. I have gleaned wisdom from both. God has shown me who I am. I still stand in wonder that he knows me better than I know myself. Oh how clearly I see that truth looking back, you know...after the fact. 

 When my spirit was pricked in this direction I wondered  if I really had enough to offer anyone. I realized I have enough peace to love, enough patience to listen and enough strength to carry on, which is given through His grace. I need no special training, just a willingness and an alertness. I have come to realize Christ will place people right in your path. You just need ears to listen and eyes to see. I have had moments when I didn't feel like my efforts were worth my time or my prayers. God is gracious. I have had a few people, not many, but enough to keep me going, express their gratitude. I, of course gave credit to God, but it was also confirming to me that I was walking down the right path. I was thrilled to know my yielding and humble obedience was a help to someone, it is  a righteous, not lofty confirmation.