With Age Comes Wisdom

I have the awesome privilege to serve as a youth worker at our church. I just love teenagers because life is always on the move for them. One of the duties that I perform is to work as a small group leader with eighth grade girls. Now, I have to be honest. I prefer juniors and seniors because they are on the verge of jumping into the great big world and they are a bundle of emotions. Although I love them dearly, seventh and eighth graders seem to have had their brains sucked out by aliens. However, God has placed me with the younger girls and it is proving interesting.

First, I have to mention that I have two wonderful, beautiful young ladies who work with me in the small group. Casey and Carla are in their twenties and such a blessing. They are not only my Christian sisters but I love them both like daughters. I am proud to say that both recently recommitted themselves to Christ and followed through in believer’s baptism. They wanted this act to be a testimony to our eighth grade girls as well as the world.

Second, it is amazing what young teenage girls know these days. Unfortunately, they are bombarded with worldly ideas from sex to humanism. In our discussions, we talked about how we can share our faith in a lost world. Sadly, some of my girls are laughed at for their Christianity. A couple have shared that their teachers even make fun of Christians. How very sad. These young teens have so many questions and they are looking for wise answers. Some of the girls are on the brink of doing something big for Christ.

The Bible tells “older women” to mentor and guide the younger ones. We need to share our experiences with them. We need to listen carefully to what they are saying and then offer wise advice. Sometimes they just need to be encouraged and told they are doing the right thing in the midst of a dark world.

As I mentioned earlier I just had a big birthday. However, with age comes wisdom. From my personal stand point I sometimes wonder if I have learned anything besides becoming an expert of good chocolate. Then I realize I do have things I can share with my girls. I can share with them about God’s faithfulness. I can teach them to look for the good in people even those who hurt us. I can teach them to be a servant even when you are not recognized for it. I can let them know that God has a sense of humor and loves for us to laugh. I can encourage them to forget the world’s idea of beauty and seek God’s beauty.

So girlfriends, what has age taught you? What can you share with the younger women of your church that can help them in their spiritual journey?