Monday, February 16, 2009

Older Women Teach the Younger Women to Be Good Wives and Mothers

I'm seriously praying about something. There is a verse in the Bible that goes like this the older women are 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 may align the Word of God." Titus 2:3-5
When I have time to post I will divide my topics by sharing news of our family with my parents, sharing an experience of my younger years with you, in order to teach a principle, and lastly I will throw in tips for young wives and mothers. Beginning today. "Wives be submit to your husbands as to the Lord. For the husband is the head of the wife as Christ is the head of the church." Ephesians 5:22
In this photo I was a young wife. My husband wanted me to get a college degree. I saw all of my friends and sisters having babies and staying home with their children. I envied them. I decided to obey the request of my husband and get my degree. I made a mistake in my thinking, however. Because I began college at the late age of 24 I was a misfit there as well. I was older than the other students. Rather than rejoicing in this moment of my life, I worried about not fitting in. I felt awkward with my sisters and friends at home with children, and awkward on campus. What I have learned from this is to find my identity in Christ. None of those thoughts mattered. What mattered was that I was honoring my husband and fitting into his plans, and that I mattered to Jesus Christ who cared about me and all those thoughts I was having. The Lord blessed me all those years as I laid each heartache and trial at His feet. Later, the Lord blessed me with children. What I learned: Be happy and thankful in the place God has placed me. I am certainly not going to claim to be free from the sin of worry and of comparing myself with others. As time would tell as I began having children, again I was a misfit. I was the older mother at the playground. I really struggled with fear and doing things wrong. I will share many stories as time goes by. Below is one of my tips for young wives and mothers:
This might be a no brainer, but some people really have not thought of this. I didn't think of it until I noticed one of my children using the same sponge from the toilet to clean the sink. "Eeew!" Here's the tip: Use bright warm colors for sinks and counters such as orange, yellow and pink.
Use only purple, green and blue; the cool colors, for the toilet. God bless you dear ladies. I want you to know that I do not think I have tons of wisdom, but I am praying that I could teach younger women from what I have learned in my life-time. They say that more is learned when one makes a mistake, than when one succeeds. Well, believe me. I have made many mistakes, and have cringed and cried over them. Maybe some of you can learn from me. Love, Kathi

19 comments:

Connie said...

Kathi- What a great idea! You have allowed yourself to be used as a voice of wisdom. Love your handy tip and your pearls of wisdom.

Gina said...

What a BABE!

And that, my friend, is why toilets are cleaned with a brush for the inside and paper towels for the outside around here.

Heather said...

great post! really great!

luvmy4sons said...

God bless you for reaching out to younger mothers...this is what I try to do too, as well as encourage mothers who are not so young! I love that scripture and I think it is wise to consider it daily as we go about our lives! Blessings to you! Lookingforward to any wisdom...just because I have been married for 25 years and am 45 doesn't mean I can't learn too!

Molly's Art Designs said...

Dear Kathi,
Thanks for the great post. I had my children at 30 and 33--so I know what you mean about feeling like a misfit! I love your picture--I think I had the same hair style! Color coded sponges--why didn't I think of that?! I have been discussing the meaning of this verse with my girls--a little hard to understand at their ages--but you explain it so well!
Blessings!
Molly

Rose of Sharon said...

What a great post Kathi! It is so important that us older gals teach the younger ones. It is weird because I kind of think of myself as a younger gal, but I really do know the truth. I love the idea of the colored sponge idea! You look so cute in the flashback photo!

Hugs sister!

Sharon

Linda said...

Kathi....I'm really you happy you decided to continue blogging. Your are very inspiring and I love the words of wisdom too...hugs, Linda

Jan Parrish said...

Great tip. :) I don't use sponges to clean with, except in the kitchen - for that very reason.

Kari said...

Thanks for commenting on my blog! It was definitely hard for me to watch The Passion of the Christ, so I understand what you mean! It really helped me understand better what all Christ went through for us. Amazing love.

I really enjoyed your post! Thanks for sharing your wisdom/tips--I can't wait to come back for more~

Have a great day!
Kari

Dana said...

We just started a 6 week series in my womens bible study called Apples to Gold, it is a study book with lessons being taught by the older experienced women. Last nights topic was kindness. I wll post on it soon. Thanks for all the advice and tips you share:))

Denise said...

I can so identify with everything you're saying, Kathi! I finished my degree after I was married and before I had kids, also. That scripture has been very motivating for me, as well. Lately the LORD and my dear husband have been nudging me to move forward into God's purpose for my life: encouraging and teaching other women with what God has given me through the scriptures and the experiences He has given me. That's one of the reasons I started my blog this January. Thank you for your honesty and example, Kathi!

Elena said...

Thanks for this post. When I read your profile and saw your blog for the first time I was delighted as I could connect with someone my age who had young children. The Lord had me wait many years for my husband and it would take a book to share and explain it all, but I had peace about it and loved the Lord through it. So now I am 48 and have 2 year old. I get asked all the time if she is my granddaughter. I just smile and tell them she is mine and a gift from the Lord. He is so faithful! I do struggle with feelings of fitting in socially but I take comfort in knowing that I can be an encouragement to others. You are a great encouragement to me. Thank you for your love and advice that you share!

Unknown said...

As the mommy of a little one, I will eagerly anticipate all your nuggets of wisdom! xoxo

Joyfulsister said...

Hi Kathi,
I think it is a wonderful journey to teach the younger women. I was blessed by the older women in my life who mentored me and I will always be thankful that they were Godly women as well. Hey!! I thought I was on your followers list, but I guess I wasn't so I'm on it now LOL.

Hugz Lorie

The Knutz Family said...

Kathi, this post is funny to me tonight... I have come down with dysentery! Cleanliness is important (you have always been good with that), but, unfornately, here in Mexico, it isn't at all!

Pray for me as I walk this out. I am up tonight, can't sleep since my tummy is so violent so I decided to blog. (In between trips to the banyo).

5 more weeks in Mexico!

A Romantic Porch said...

Kathi, Isn't is neat how God leads us and teaches us when we have our heart open to HIM. Bless you today sweet friend. xo rachel

Lori said...

Kathi;
Your blog, as always, is inspiring.

You have a beautiful family and because you waited, they have a Wise wife and mother.

Lori

Anonymous said...

Hey Kathi, I have this saying around our house: If it's pink it's for the sink and blue is for the bowl. It helps everyone remember what sponge is for what!

Anonymous said...

Great tip about the sponges, Kathi! I have been so edified by reading the blogs of seasoned wives amd mothers, and you are spot on about being content in our circumstances. Gos is so amazingly good and so are His plans for us in this very moment if we take the time to think about it. :o)

Happy weekend!

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