Teaching the younger

the older women likewise, that they be reverent in behaviour, not slanderers, not given to much wine, teachers of good things— that they admonish the young women to love their husbands, to love their children, to be discreet, chaste, homemakers, good, obedient to their own husbands, that the word of God may not be blasphemed. - Titus 2:3-5

I may get in a little bit of trouble for this, but I think this is a perfect chance for me to brag a little bit about my dear wife. She is far from an ‘old woman’ but she is indeed older than most of the women in our circles.

When I read these verses I certainly picture Mary as a great illustration of the kind of woman they talk about.

Let's see what the older women are to do.

Be reverent in their behaviour

Not slanderers

Not given to much wine

Teaching good things

Admonish young women to

Love their husbands

Love their children

Be discreet

Take care of their homes

Be good

            Obey their husbands

When I look at the list and look at my wife they seem to pair up pretty well. Not only does she have the character in the first part of the list, but she has a brilliant heart for teaching the younger women. Mary can teach these things because she lives them. The world teaches young women one set of values. God's word teaches another. And God expects the older women to teach the younger women His standards for life – love your husband and your children, to control themselves, to take good care of their homes, to be good, and to obey their husbands.

Thank God for a wife who not only lives these things, but teaches them by word and example.