Spiritual Mothers.....

Let's ponder together these questions:

How can we mentor in ways that are pleasing to God?

How can we be sure the word of God is not maligned in the way we mentor and learn?

One of the most important aspects of mentoring is the motive behind what we are say. Are we mentoring in love, building strong, healthy relationships and sharing authentically, or do we tend to be a self-righteous, bossy "know-it-all" because the attitude of our heart is not right? Do we live what we say? Are we encouraging? Are we trying to point out others' flaws (like Joyce Meyer will put it- are we trying to be "Holy Ghost Jr."?) just for the sake of "being right"?

The most important way to mentor in a way pleasing to God is to LISTEN to God! We need to be sensitive to the Holy Spirit, following His lead. There will be times when He calls us to open our mouths to encourage, but also to rebuke, challenge, train, and correct by His Word (2 Timothy 3:16). But, there will also be times when the Holy Spirit calls us to SHUT UP and just live out our example, loving and serving those we mentor. They will SEE with our deeds. They will learn by our love.

One of the ways to make sure the Word of God is not maligned in the way we mentor is to LIVE what we say. As Titus says, "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."

God gave me quite an example over the weekend. My girls and I had a "Girls' Night" because all the boys in our home had weekend retreats. So, my 10 yr. old invited 2 friends and my 8 year old invited a friend and we went off to the Hannah Montana movie. Well, I had purchased the tickets in advance and there was a miscommunication. I thought I bought 5 kids' tickets and 1 adult. The lady behind me and I laughed at how "brave" I was. When we arrived, we running a little late and needed to buy the popcorn and get in quickly before the previews began. The girls were excited and when I handed the tickets to the usher, we were laughing and we didn't notice that I was one short.

But, I noticed in the movie theater. The movie was starting, so I decided to think about it afterwards. At first I kind of brushed it off, thinking that I probably had enough tickets. But, during the movie, I kept thinking it. At one point, I told myself, "Tracy, would you risk losing your anointing, your blessing, your close walk with God for a $6 movie ticket????"

So, as soon as that show was over, we made our way to the manager's desk to pay for the ticket! I told the girls what I had did. What I was showing them was to be honest, even if you "get away" with something. Even if no one else notices, God knows and it is important to do what is right. Living out honesty made much a greater impact than any lecture on honesty ever would. Not to mention, the young girl at the desk who I explained the situation to was "blown away" that a person would actually come up and try to pay for a movie once it was over!

We can't just "talk the talk" but we MUST "walk the walk". And, when we make mistakes (notice I said WHEN not if!), we need to be real and share those as well. Authentic relationships share the struggles and challenges.

One more thought about mentors. Lisa Bevere says she prefers the term "spiritual mothers" instead of spiritual mentors. A mentor wants the person she is helping to do well, but not "too well." A mentor doesn't always want the person to do better than her. Thinking about it in the business world- a mentor wouldn't want the person he is mentoring to do BETTER than him because that person may take his job!

BUT....a MAMA always wants her CHILDREN to do even more than she even did! A MAMA wants her children to have more, do more, be more than she could ever imagine.

Be completely humble and gentle; be patient, bearing with one another in love. Make every effort to keep the unity of the Spirit through the bond of peace. Ephesians 4:2-3

I have written about spiritual mothers here and here also. I hope you have a few minutes to read these as well! Please stop by the well to gain insight and wisdom from many other "Spiritual Mamas". We can learn much from one another!

Gathering At the Well

Welcome back to the Well!

This is the kick-off to the the "NEW" Well! We will still be gathering each Monday to ponder together, learn from each other, and encourage one another, but now there will also be DAILY devotions to challenge and encourage you. You can visit the new site to drink in Godly teaching, or better yet, sign up to get the daily emails.

For today's topic, we go back to the "beginning", and look back at our inspiration for the Well, becoming a "Titus 2" woman. Here are the questions to get you thinking:

When you read the Scripture found in Titus 2: 2-5, how do you
see this playing out in your own life?

What are your areas of strength? Of weakness?

If you could set some sort of goal in relation to this
Scripture, what would it be?

3Likewise, 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. 4Then they can train the younger women to love their husbands and children, 5to 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.

As I have pondered this, I wanted to first talk about "training the younger women..." I think often we can get caught up in the idea that maybe we "don't have daughters, so maybe this doesn't apply to us." But, the passage says "younger women," not necessarily DAUGHTERS.

I have many "daughters." I have my own three precious girls the Lord has blessed me with to love and raise in our family. But, I have 10 sweet girls who come to my home every Wednesday afternoon for our "club"- God's Girls- to read the Word together, make a craft, laugh, learn about our Lord and His love, serve Him, and have fun. I have a group of 12 women who come every Monday evening to a small group Bible Study that I lead. Over the past 10 years, I have had the opportunity to mentor many more who have come into the group and "moved on" for various reasons. These precious ones are still so important to me, and I feel a "responsibiltiy" in a sense for how they are growing spiritually. What I mean- NOT that I take "credit" for their walk with the Lord, but that I care "how they are doing." Are they growing? Reading the Word? Still seeking Him? I have several dear Sisters through blogging that I am "training".

And, the funny thing is, some of my "daughters" are younger than me, but some are OLDER! I am their "Spiritual Mama". I am a little further down the road than they are in the area of their spiritual lives, so God has blessed me with the opportunity to mentor them.

You, see, God crosses our paths with so many women- some a little "older and wiser," some needing guidance and wisdom. As iron sharpens iron, He wants us to encourage, teach, and challenge one another. And, He gives us spiritual "children" and "spiritual mamas." To read about my "Spiritual Mama," click here.

How do we "train up" these daughters? I believe first and foremost it is by how WE LIVE! Am I reverant? Pure? Kind? How do I love my husband? My children? Submissive to Brian? Am I busy at home? Or am I busy "in the world?" Do I seek God above all else?

Remember the saying "actions speak louder than words?" What do my actions SPEAK? Am I truly trying to live out a "Titus 2" lifestyle?

My "daughters" know that I am FAR FROM PERFECT in these areas of Titus 2! I share with them my struggles. I am honest. I am authentic. I DON'T PRETEND that I "have it all together!" Like Paul, I have not yet been made perfect! But, forgetting what is behind, straining towards what is ahead, I PRESS ON!

My greatest challenge is "loving my husband" and "loving my children." Does that shock you? Let me explain!

I struggle with loving myself more! I know that LOVE, true love, is self-less. I tend to worry too much about how I FEEL. If my husband (and now my "tweenager"!) has offended me. My prayer is that, as I become "more like Jesus," reflecting His Light, that I will think far less of myself. There are times I am "great" at it. There are times I fail miserably. Thank You, Lord, for Your grace and Your forgiveness!

What about you? Are there areas where you would like to grow this year as a "Titus 2" woman? What is God pressing upon YOUR heart as you read this passage?

Won't you join us this week in pondering what it means to be a Titus 2 woman? Please stop by the Well for a list of other "daughters" and "mothers", true SISTERS in Christ, who are also gathering for a drink.