Older Women Teach the Younger Women

In my early days of parenting, I was apart of an organization called MOPS when we lived in Enid, OK. I was 2 years into my marriage when we welcomed our first blessing, a son named Hunter. We were far from my parents who lived in CA and friends I grew up with as well. Even though I had experience as a nanny, a teacher, and with my own siblings, there were lots of things still very new to me. I was blessed to have three wonderful women who were my Mentor Moms during my short time there. They taught me so much on how to love my children, how to love my husband, and how to run my household. They taught me about loving God and loving others as well.

Fast forward to 9 years later, we are back living in CA (but a whole new area) and I've been doing some online studies through www.shereadstruth.com. With six children, I don't have the time or chance to go to a Bible study at church. So this has been such a huge blessing to find this online community to study with each morning. This month, we studied the book of Titus. It was a great refresher course for me on learning how to live out life as a Christian. One set of verses we studied was about spiritual mentoring.

Titus 2:1, 3-5 You must teach what is in accord with sound doctrine. 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. Then they can train the younger women to love their husbands and children, 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.

How is spiritual mothering already taking place in your community? Since we homeschool, I've been blessed to be apart of a wonderful co-op of families in our community. I would estimate there are probably anywhere between 35-40 families apart of it at the moment. What I've found so amazing is the older women who have counseled me along the way in homeschooling, raising children in this generation, etc. These women have had children who are older and been through my steps. They believe the same things as me and share the same passions about homeschooling, families, etc. This past year I took a break from the community when I delivered the twins. But I am planning on being apart of it again next year. This summer, I am going to the different activities through the group and I'm hoping to push myself at finding some more spiritual mentors in the group who can encourage me.

Has a godly woman influenced you in your growth in the Gospel, or has mentoring a young believer impacted your life? Yes, one wonderful friend of mine has been meeting with me every once in awhile and I always feel so encouraged after being around her. She is one of those amazing, joyful women who shares the same beliefs as me. Her children are teenagers and older with one getting ready to be married. I've been so blessed and encouraged by her friendship and influence over my life.

I also have the most amazing and wise mother. She is a missionary and also raised up five children. She is the greatest spiritual mentor in my life. I wish everyone could meet her and get to know her. She's that wonderful!!!

 How would you like to see Titus 2 shape your relationships moving forward? I would like to continue actively seeking out women who can spiritually mentor me as well as praying for my husband to find some men who can spiritually mentor him as well. I dream as well to be a mentor to others. It's something I'm passionate about and hope to do. When I have children grown, I would love to be a Mentor Mom for MOPS and lead things like Apples of Gold. I would even love to become a speaker/leader at homeschool conferences.

Here are some of my favorite-ever pieces of advice I've received from the mentors in my life:

1. Be sure to homeschool your children spiritually. Don't expect the church or others to do it. You are the one who needs to teach them about God.
2. Spend time doing daily devotionals with your children. Start with Proverbs and read through each one in accordance to each day. For example, today is June 13th so read Proverbs 13.
3. Pray with your husband and for your husband.
4. Do things with your husband even if you don't necessarily find it fun.  If they like going to a football game, go with them. If it's fishing on a boat, go with them. But also find things to do without them too. Find time to get together with friends just the same.
5. Proverbs 22:6 Train up a child in the way he should go, and when he is old he will not turn from it.
6. Be willing to tell your children sorry when you make a mistake. If you were frustrated and yelled at your child, tell them that you are sorry. Parents make mistakes too. When they see that you are willing to apologize to them, they learn that to practice forgiveness and grace.
7. Set up boundaries early in your marriage. Set them up as husband/wife and with family members too.
8. Get a King-sized bed for when you are pregnant. Just trust me!
9. Don't put a TV in your room. Limit the need for technology in your home.
10. Store your treasures in heaven instead of on earth. Don't collect things in your home. Live on less and purchase less. Don't let things own you.