Awake

Still awake at 2:30am and thinking about Titus 2.

1But as for you, speak the things which are fitting for sound doctrine. 2 Older men are to be temperate, dignified, sensible, sound in faith, in love, in perseverance.

3Older women likewise are to be reverent in their behavior, not malicious gossips nor enslaved to much wine, teaching what is good, 4so that they may encourage the young women to love their husbands, to love their children, 5to be sensible, pure, workers at home, kind, being subject to their own husbands, so that the word of God will not be dishonored.

6Likewise urge the young men to be sensible; 7in all things show yourself to be an example of good deeds, with purity in doctrine, dignified, 8sound in speech which is beyond reproach, so that the opponent will be put to shame, having nothing bad to say about us.

I find it slightly amusing that of the four categories of people listed here (older & younger men & women), the younger men have a considerably shorter list of things to learn. To be sensible. Although it could be argued that the "likewise" at the start of verse 6 means ditto for the dudes.

Titus 2:3-5 has been one of my favorite passages for a long time. One of my favorite small group book studies, "A Woman's High Calling" by Elizabeth George, is based on this passage.

I'm pondering which younger women I am pouring into and what I am doing to teach what is good and encourage them to love. I'm also thinking about who are the older women in my life from whom I can learn what is good and be encouraged by to love. Honestly, I feel unbalanced right now. I'm pouring out my 23+ years of wisdom (which is a lot of learn-from-my-mistakes) on these high school girls but not getting much of the more versed and aged wisdom instilled in me. Hm... think I'll have to do something about that. Anyone interested in being an older woman to me? :)