Cheering Them On

I've been thinking throughout the day about yesterday's Sunday School discussion on parenting, and how important Titus 2 relationships are for Christian women. I think there are blessings on both sides. I'm thankful for women who came alongside me when My Beloved and I began our little family many years ago. I was blessed to have women who cared enough to guide me through those days when I was rather clueless.

My Beloved and I went to lunch yesterday with some young friends and five of their six children. So well-disciplined and a joy to be around. And there are more families like them, too. I'm so very encouraged as I listen to some of the young moms I know talk about training their children and reaching them with the gospel of Jesus Christ. This seems to be a generation of Christian parents who are serious about what they're doing. I think there is hope for America in the upcoming generation. At least there is hope for these children.

Yes, days can sometimes be hard, with or without children. Toil and trouble seem to find us whatever season we're in. But then there are the sweet hugs and kisses that melt the heart when children are around. I miss those days, and it brings a smile when I see these young families loving on each other. I want to cheer them on, and remind them that time with children is short. Even though the days can seem ever-so-long, and bedtime is ever-so-welcomed.

Painting ~ A Helping Hand, Eugene de Blass, 1884

Wiki Art, public domain

Coming Alongside

Thinking today of the affirming relationship between Jesus' mother Mary and her cousin Elizabeth, how each encouraged the other in their miraculous calling as mothers. Mothers who would nurture two boys, who themselves would one day change the world. Each woman needed the other, each understood the other. Although Mary and Elizabeth were experiencing something others of us could hardly imagine, we all need affirming relationships with other women who can empathize and encourage.

Scripture speaks of being a Titus 2 woman, one who nurtures younger women in their journey through life. Life can be a struggle. I remember thinking how complicated it was as I tried to figure out this thing of being a wife and mother. In His wisdom, God gives older women instruction to teach the younger women the ways of womanhood. Too often we get our instruction from current culture, from the media, from the celebrities. More often than not, it's hollow and empty. 

I've had women through the years who have filled this need in my own life. Like Mary, some have been family. Others have been dear friends. Some have simply taken me under their wings for a season and nurtured me through it. For all, I am forever grateful.

I hope I'm that kind of woman to other women. I know I've had many opportunities and am thankful for the privilege to come alongside. With our move last year, most of my spiritual daughters were left behind. That saddens me, but I sense that God is opening doors once again. I'm eager to walk along a few new paths to empathize and encourage in the coming year.

Painting ~ The Day's Catch, Daniel Ridgeway Knight 1839-1924

Making Mistakes With Quilting and Children

Leisure Hours ~ Albert Thomas Jarvis Gilbert, 1927

I've been working on the next baby quilt and thinking as I go along about a brief devotional I'll be giving at this baby's shower. Thoughts keep springing to life as I'm struck by the similarities of bringing a quilt to completion and bringing a child to maturity.

Things are not progressing exactly as planned. The quilt isn't, and children don't either. My original design had to be altered because of a mistake--my mind was out in la-la land while my hands were snipping away at the fabric, and I don't have enough extra of that particular fabric. How I had it planned just isn't happening. Isn't growing children like that sometimes? At some point we come to our senses and realize we've snipped away something strategic or didn't even think about it in the first place.

So what do we do? Modify what we're doing as soon as we realize it. Some mistakes are easily adjusted. Others take much prayer and time and effort. The sooner we wake up to the mistake, though, the better the prospect for effective change--and the more harmonious and beautiful the quilt and the child.

I've made several mistakes throughout this quilt that most people will never notice. Some things don't really matter. Other things sure enough do matter. Anyone who has done much quilting knows they do. Anyone who has done much parenting knows some things matter immeasurably.

And so Titus 2 comes into focus once again--older women "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...."

Older women, I encourage you to help younger women, especially those who are away from their own mothers and bereft of that kindly attention. Younger women, I encourage you to turn to older women and ask them what they've done right and what they've learned in making mistakes along the way.

More quilting to be done this afternoon. Knowing myself, there will be more mistakes and adjustments made, and more thoughts for my devotional about growing up children.

So grateful for grace!