Monday, March 16, 2009

Musings from a Growing Young Woman: Learning

"Older women likewise are to be reverent in behavior, not slanderers or slaves to much wine. They are to teach what is good, and so train the young women to love their husbands and children, to be self-controlled, pure, working at home, kind, and submissive to their own husbands,
that the word of God may not be reviled."
This is a very interesting time in my life.
As my dear friend Jasmine has so aptly put,
"...And here's what I mean by that. I'll turn nineteen this year. I could be married nine months from now, I could be married nine years from now, I could be married never; I've no idea how the Lord will work in my life in the next nine days. But I do know that He's given me life, an unmarried one at this point, and I do know that He's given me a mission to carry out, single or married (Matthew 28:18-20), and is constantly sanctifying me, single or married, and has called me to a purpose, single or married...

And that's a wonderful thing!"
It truly is a wonderful thing! Which is one of the many reasons that I am so thankful for my Mom and sister Nicole. Both of them have been shining examples of the Bible passage at the beginning of this post.
In recent months the Lord has shown me other older women in my life that have taught me many valuable lessons. It is such a blessing at this season of my life to be surrounded by women who fear the Lord and strive to be a "Titus 2" woman in every respect. They aren't perfect, they struggle, they become frusterated; however they also rely on the Lord to be their strength with the knowlege that He will grant them sufficient grace.
This has been especially appreciated in recent weeks.
I seem to be going through an odd phase right now; somehow I feel stuck between childhood and womanhood.
I am not married. I have no prospects. I know I should talk about more things than toys or games; however, I also know that I do not belong in adult conversation.
So enters certain older women in our church. They have helped me bridge this conversation gap by talking with me and making me feel a part of a group. In these circles I have learned so many things (I'm very excited and hope to blog about in later posts).
They have been kind enough to share in their experiences, some sad and others joyful.
Like Jasmine put so well, "...I do know that He's given me a mission to carry out...and is constantly sanctifying me...and has called me to a purpose..."!
One of the beauties of being in a Christian home is that I am always being reminded of my place and purpose: to glorify God and enjoy Him forever; pour myself into the Word; honor my parents; learn from my Mom and respect my Dad; and being a blessing to my family and all who come through our home. These are the things that matter and things I hold dear.
I can find security and strength in knowing that He gives me every measure of grace I need for each moment in the day. There will be nothing that will happen in this life that He has not prepared me for; and that every trial that will come is for my perfection that I may glorify Him all the more!
All in all I must say how truly blessed I feel by being surrounded not only by the wisdom of my physical family but also my spiritual family.
God is so good to give us what we ask for, and especially for the things that we do not know to ask.

7 comments:

Micaela Marques said...

I do not deserve such a beautiful daughter. I love you, Elena and pray for God's rich blessings on you.
Love,
mom

Jordan said...

Elena, thank you so much for your beautiful post. I am blessed to have friends with such wisdom. I love you ~ Jordan

Kelly said...

Those are good thoughts Elena. :)
~K

Abigail said...

Thanks for this post, Alena. There are many a girls in the same boat as you, and I am so glad that you have some shining examples to encourage you in "courageous femininity".

Thank you for your sincerity and transparency.

Love,

Abigail

PS

Thanks for being interested in my life enough to stop by my blog! Your comments are encouraging! :)

Abigail said...

Oh no! I think I made my comment addressed to Alena, instead of Elena. I did have you in mind when I wrote it, but having a student named Alena has gotten me in the habit of writing her name. lol

Anonymous said...

Great post. But, I disagree with one thing...you fit right in with an adult conversation. I really enjoy speaking with you. I pray that Lizzie can learn from you and your sisters how to act like a lady (as I learn from your mother).

Emily Frye

Elena said...

Thank you so much for this gracious comment Mrs. Emily :)
I really enjoy talking with you.

You are actually one of the older ladies I mentioned in my post.
And I can speak for the rest of the ladies here that we are so blessed by you and your family. We feel there is so much to be learned from you, and we are excited to spend more time with you.

Love,

Elena

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