What Should an Older Woman Teach?

Yesterday as I ironed a shirt for David for church, I thought It really would be a good idea to get clothes ready for church the night before. Then I chuckled to myself, since I’ve pushed that idea aside for several years. I’m not organized enough, there’s no need, not my personality, that’s something SuperMom does, and I’m not SuperMom.

Then I remembered that a few weeks ago, I told myself I probably needed to make a prayer list if I wanted to pray more systematically for others, as Lee’s grandma and grandpa did all of their lives. Again I chuckled, since I’ve pushed that idea side for several years, too. I’m not organized enough, there’s no need, not my personality, that’s something SuperMom does, and I’m not SuperMom.

Then I got really curious, because I’m starting to see a pattern. Are there any other areas of my life in the past or currently that I’m resisting change? Am I resisting change just because I’ve deliberately chosen to do something different in the past? And does the fact that I’m finally coming around to some of these conclusions mean that I was doing wrong way back when? Was I pridefully blinded to things in my life I needed to change, or had God simply not revealed them to me yet because I was not ready to learn these lessons?

Here’s my real question, now. If I could be an older woman teaching my younger woman self, would I make a point to instruct on these matters? Or would it be better to simply encourage my younger self to keep seeking the Lord, seeking His Word, seeking His Wisdom, and trust that God will give needed direction and maturity when most needed? I think this is a good approach, although maybe I would add to my younger self that our hearts are easily deceived, and that we desperately need humility as well.

We sometimes think we want advice: how do I get baby to stop crying? When will she stop needing my help to obey? Is breaking the will a good thing, as Susanna Wesley says? How do I teach modesty, masculinity, and responsibility? These are good questions, but they’re not the most important. It’s possible that the best advice I can give to a new mom is not how to schedule her baby, but to seek the Lord.

How can I make this connection clear?

Keep thy heart with all diligence, for out of it are the issues of life.

Seek ye first the kingdom of God, and all these things will be added unto you.

Love the Lord your God with all heart, soul and mind. THEN teach these things diligently to your children.

Tomorrow I want to talk about maturing and sanctification. We don’t become angry with a baby for acting like a baby, usually, so why do we get discouraged and angry with ourselves for being immature?

2 comments

Shelley Gallamore

said on September 8, 2008 at 4:13 pm:
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This is an excellent thought. I would add the question or idea that if you had made those changes as a response to someone else’s instruction would that just be fruit stapling rather than heart change? I see this continually lived out in our “seeker” friendly church were people are told “come as you are but don’t stay that way!” If we are patient and allow God to work in thier lives and apply ourselves to relationship with them, and continually direct them to the word and to seek God - huge life change usually occurs.
Michelle

said on September 9, 2008 at 3:05 pm:
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I’ve been thinking over this. I like the distinction of fruit stapling and heart change, and I can see what my tendency is as a teacher. At the same time, I know that sometimes I’ve heard others teach how they apply God’s Word, or their reasons for why they do what they do, and my heart leaps at the truth that is presented, even if it’s in a matter of Christian liberty. I don’t want to be afraid of speaking these things, but I also don’t want to be disturbed if God doesn’t work like I think He should.

Good thoughts.