Five rectangle-shaped reading glasses in various colors perched on five different noses, including my own.
That's what I noticed yesterday during Bible study with a group of seven women.
The other two ladies, without glasses, are young mothers and wives. Their toddlers (one each) were busy in play, and attention skillfully divided between children and study.
Us five "oldies" are about the same age: late 40s to mid-50s, with a range of life experiences. We commiserate with our younger, 20-something moms, remembering life at that stage. One young woman is pregnant with her second child; her husband is a student at a local university. The other is satisfied with one child. She wants to design fashion accessories again, which she did "before."
We pondered over I Thessalonians. We laughed, sometimes cried, shared our stories and experiences, dandled children on our knees and handed them healthy treats.
It's strange to be an older woman with 30 years of housewife-ing and motherhood behind me. I don't feel that old. Perhaps it's because I know there is a lot more to learn about life, love and other mysteries. My journey isn't over.
Yet I find that I am in a unique position to be an example. I can offer advice and help answer oh-so-many questions about raising children and living with a husband. I can add other scriptural principles I have learned, and am learning still.
Paul writes in Titus 2:3-5, "Likewise, 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 be subject to their husbands, so that no one will malign the word of God."
There are older women I know that make me cringe with their loud-mouth ways and garish outfits, who belittle their husbands, laugh about it and encourage others to do the same. There are also older women whom I admire and want to emulate with their sense of humor, loving ways to everyone, and their honesty. My desire is to be the latter.
When we meet again, I will rejoice to wear my reading glasses, share my story, and bounce children on my knee while I listen and learn from older, and younger, women.
-30-
Read more articles by Heidi Cramer or search for articles on the same topic or others.
Delightful little piece - loved the intro, the five ladies in rectangular glasses! Gives me lots of ideas for a book on the middle-aged lady outlook on life. You could really develop this theme! Each lady would have her own story ..... How did they all arrive in this group? How are they relating to the younger mums? To each other?
