Yesterday, I attended the funeral of a 94-year-old woman who had attended my church for much of her life. I went to Sunday School and Youth Group with her children, and I taught her grandchildren in Pioneer Girls and Sunday School.
Ever since I heard she had stepped into the presence of Jesus, I’ve been remembering. Elaine quietly served wherever needed. I always saw her in the kitchen, which was a blessing because she was a great cook! In my thirties (which would put her in her late fifties), I began attending our Ladies’ Missionary meetings. Once a month we met together at someone’s home. Listening to the ladies pray for our missionaries, opening their homes, serving delicious desserts, laughing together, sharing prayer requests, and sharing talents and testimonies gave me the opportunity to observe the precious ladies of my church – and to learn from them.
For many years, we organized an annual Women’s Retreat at the church. The leadership planned the event which often included a specially-written play. The first time I was asked to be in the play, I served alongside Elaine. I don’t remember the play, but I remember laughing uncontrollably as we rehearsed. She had such deadpan humor and perfect timing. I jumped at the chance to act with her many times after that.
I rarely served in the kitchen because I was involved in music and teaching roles. Besides, it was not one of my strengths. One time I was standing in the kitchen talking with the ladies and heard Elaine’s questioning, fearful voice say, “What’s Lynnette doing in the kitchen?” I am still laughing at how she said that, thirty years later!
Remembering Elaine’s life brings to mind some lessons for the church. First, leaders of the church, remember to have events and classes that are not age-segregated. Mix the younger women with the older women and let God use them to minister to each other. The older teaching the younger, and the younger encouraging the older. I thank God for giving me so many faithful ladies from whom I could learn and who became dear friends to me. There was a time in serving alongside Elaine that I asked God to let me be like her as I aged – faithfully serving with a sense of humor.
If you are an older woman in the church, remember that young women are watching you. Make sure you are the kind of person they want to be like and not the opposite.
Young women – don’t think that older women are too boring or too old and have nothing to give. I cherish the women in my church, many of them now in heaven, for showing me how to worship, praise, serve, and trust our Lord and Savior. May He bless you and your church as well.
In what ways can you interact with other women in your church? Are there ways you need to change or improve to be a better example?
“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.” Titus 2:3-4
