Go find a friend

Older women likewise are to be reverent in behavior, not slanderers or slaves to much wine. They are to teach what is good, and so train the young women to love their husbands and children, to be self-controlled, pure, working at home, kind, and^F)"> submissive to their own husbands, that the word of God may not be reviled. Titus 2:3-5 (ESV)

Similarly, teach the older women to live in a way that honors God. They must not slander others or be heavy drinkers. Instead, they should teach others what is good. These older women must train the younger women to love their husbands and their children, to live wisely and be pure, to work in their homes, to do good, and to be submissive to their husbands. Then they will not bring shame on the word of God. Titus 2:3-5 (NLT)

Our relationships with each other are important. The older women have a responsibility to the younger. It doesn’t always mean age. The women who have a more mature relationship in Christ need to be guiding the women who are younger in Christ. The idea of mentoring can be intimidating to both women but it doesn’t have to be. It’s meant to be a tool for building a relationship.

A few years ago, I was paired up with a good friend of mine, Jackie. Jackie and I were already good friends, but through our mentoring she became my wonderful friend, Jackie. Jackie never sat down and said do this or do that. Jackie and I had meals together. Sometimes we went out. Other times I went to her house and cooked for her. Jackie came into my classroom and helped out. She even did music with my students once. Jackie let me into her and showed me what a wonderful woman of God looks like. It doesn’t have to be anything formal. You don’t have sit down with a bible and say this is the way you should live.

It’s not hard. I know you may not feel like you are adequate to do the job. I’ve dropped the ball. I’ve had 2 women placed in my life. Not both of them are younger than me age wise, but they are both younger spiritually. I should have stepped up to the plate and guided them, but I didn’t. I feel bad because of the blessings we have missed out. It’s ok to feel inadequate or like you aren’t ready, just don’t do what I did. Start out casual like Jackie and I did.

Iron sharpens iron; so a man sharpens the countenance of his friend [to show rage or worthy purpose]. Proverbs 27:17 (AMP)

That is, that we may be mutually strengthened and encouraged and comforted by each other's faith, both yours and mine. Romans 1:12 (AMP)

You also need those relationships with your friends who are on the same level as you. It helps you both grow. It’s important to encourage, strengthen and comfort each other. We need to help each other out. God didn’t design life to be lived out alone. God planned for us to work together. Get with someone who is on your level and spend time encourage them to keep going.

In my first year of teaching, it was rough. Days seemed long and they ran together. I made it through that year because of Angela. She was a first year teacher also, and she was right next door. We supported each other and cared for each. We carried each other through that year. The only reason we signed up for a second year is because we knew the other one was going to. We knew that the other one would be there, so we could handle it. We had the strength to give it another try knowing, we had the support of the other.

Having you been failing? Have you been trying to do this alone? Do you see a connection? Ask someone to help you. Find someone ahead of you and beside and ask them to spend time with you. Are watching someone fail? Why? Sometimes just offering to stand beside them is all the need. You don’t need to have gone through all the same trails just try to be helpful. When they start to worry point them back to God, when they get overwhelmed point them back to God. If God share bits of wisdom with you, share it with them. God’s plan for this world is that we go through life together. When I can’t find a pair of socks or shoes, I go looking for its friend, not its pair. Go look for a friend.