Titus 2 Friends

Last week, we were invited to join a group of friends for dinner.  The

evening was extra special as we were able to visit with folks we 

hadn't seen in a long time.  This couple lives in Utah now and we

were glad to spend some time with them.  

It was a great excuse to go out to dinner and talk and talk and talk.

Dinner was pretty good, but it was really all about the company.

Notice all the men are on one end of the table and the women are on

the other.  The men grew tired of talking before we did.  That's not 

surprising, is it?

When I moved to Hendersonville twenty-five years ago, I was 

half the age I am now, had a two year old  and a new baby. 

We were starting a new business and didn't know anyone in 

the area.  Until we went to church, that is.  After that first Sunday, 

we had a new ward family.  I love being a member of a worldwide

church.  No matter where you go, you will have instant friends -

brothers and sisters in the gospel.  Being a young mother and a 

fairly new convert, I was in need of friends.  But what I really

needed was mentoring.  I needed to learn from other women

how to be a godly woman, wife and mother.

I needed some Titus 2 friends. 

"The aged women likewise, that they be in behaviour as becometh

  holiness, not false accusers, not given to much wine, teachers of 

  good things;  that they may teach the young women to be sober, 

  to love their husbands, to love their children.   To be discreet, chaste,

  keepers at home, good, obedient to their own husbands, that the word 

  of God be not blasphemed."

                                                                                           Titus 2:3-5

Titus 2 teaches that the more spiritually mature women in the

church have a responsibility to work with the younger women,

teaching them by word and example how to be a righteous woman

and showing them how that looks in day to day life.  How a godly

woman talks, dresses, immerses herself in God's word, shows honor

and respect to her family, serves her neighbor, uses her resources, takes

care of her home, gracefully endures adversity and conducts herself

with others are lessons that are caught, as well as taught.  We "catch" 

these lessons by rubbing shoulders with other righteous women.  

I have been very blessed to have a number of such women in my 

life.  On this evening, I was sitting among five of them.

                    

Over the years I've sat through countless meetings (and I do

mean countless) where I've been taught the gospel, often by

these very women.  Two of them have been my Stake Relief 

Society President.  Every Christmas  I dig out my gingerbread

recipe and patterns and make gingerbread houses.  I learned 

how to do that from Lindsay and Bev.  They also tried to teach

me how to quilt, very patiently, I would add.  Sewing is not

my strong point , but the little I know, I learned from them. 

A few weeks ago, I sat in a class taught by Lindsay and left

feeling inspired and encouraged to be a better wife to my

good husband.  Bev says she has served much of her life 

as a homemaking counselor in Relief Society. I'm sure it's

because she's so good at it!  I've learned skills that have helped

me be a better homemaker from her.  And I love being a 

homemaker!!!   Would I feel that way without having such

wonderful examples?   I don't think so.

I learned to love the Primary organization from Sue and Becky. 

They were amazing primary presidents and I served as a teacher

under both of them.  They were the kind of leaders that made you

want to be better, just by being around them.  I watched as they

loved the children unconditionally and I wanted to be a primary

leader just like that.  I hope I can follow in their footsteps as now I 

find myself serving in the same capacity.  

All of these women have taught me what it means to be committed 

to the gospel and serve selflessly.  I've listened as they have stood as

witnesses of Christ and and have shared their testimonies, conducted 

meetings,  sacrificed their time and shared their talents.   I've watched 

them raise their families and I've spent time in each of their homes,

sharing meals and learning the art of hospitality.

They have been my mentors, my Titus 2 friends.   I doubt they knew 

I was watching so closely and that I was learning all of these things

from them. Thank you Lindsay, Anne, Bev, Becky and Sue, for being

righteous women who took an interest in me and my family.  You are

my dear sisters, and you are loved!

The Lord knew that women needed to have these friendships with other

women.  The principle of mentoring is a biblical one and part of his plan 

to help us along life's path. 

I hope you have some Titus 2 friends who are making a difference in your

life.  If you do, you are indeed blessed.

*MYOF Goals- Goal # 3 - Do something fun with a friend each month.