Heart Choices: A Good Friend and Mentor Died this Week -->

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A Good Friend and Mentor Died this Week


My friend and mentor Susie went home to be with the Lord this past week.  Although I will miss her, I know where she is and that provides such comfort.  I've been looking for photos of Susie to share with her husband David.  I rediscovered this post I'd written in 2010.  I decided to repost it today in honor of Susie.
Extravagant Grace
I'm joining with eLisa of Extravagant Grace today. We are continuing our series on becoming Titus 2 in 2010.

Here is the Scripture from Titus 2:3-5:

"Likewise, teach the older women to be reverent in the way they live, not to be slanderers or addicted to much wine, but to teach what is good. Then they can train the younger women to love their husbands and children, to be self-controlled and pure, to be busy at home, to be kind, and to be subject to their husbands, so that no one will malign the word of God."

For this week our discussion is focused on the question:

"What does it mean to be reverent?" in becoming a Titus 2 woman.

I believe that being reverent means to show respect. The fear of the Lord is an awesome respect and reverence for God, who is sovereign and has dominion over all His creation.

However, it seems that in today's culture, there's not much of that. Even in day to day relations with people, many children aren't even taught respect for other people.

As a child, I was instructed by my mother to always greet my neighbors with "Hello Mrs. Smith" instead of "hi, how's it going?" or something like that. She believed it showed a sign of respect.

As an adult, I've been honored and privileged to have a mentor named Susie. She was the children's director in Bible Study Fellowship while I was a children's leader. We bonded so well and I just love her.

Susie began mentoring younger women in the ways of God. She uses the Christian Called to Obedience curriculum written by Howie and Dennie Dowell. I'd like to say I was her only student but of course, that's not true.

I was invited to a luncheon that included many of the women Susie has mentored over the years. It's amazing how many women have been impacted since Susie listened to God's call on her life and ...she obeyed.

Hmm ...message to self; trust and obey.

There were about 8 or 9 tables filled with women of all ages who had been mentored by Susie.

Dennie Dowell, the writer of Called to Obedience was present and shared words of wisdom from the Bible.

Susie mentored Jenni, who in turn has now mentored many young moms.
We were taught that fear of man's rejection shouldn't control us. When you are relying on God's eternal, unchanging love for you ...He will provide all you need.

God must be the source of your emotional and spiritual stability. What a great and important lesson for me to learn.

As far as reverencing husbands, I do believe it's important to respect your husband. Many women today seem to find it easy to belittle men. If you ever watch TV commercials, I'm amazed at how they stereotype men.

After reading a book called "Love and Respect" by Dr. Emmerson Eggerichs, I realized how much husbands desire respect. I now look for things I can respect about my husband and ...I tell him.

When you start paying attention, you might be amazed at how many good things you will find that you can respect about your husband. It may start with little things. But note his response. Most times he will be so pleased.
As women we want to be loved. And our husbands crave respect.
~ ~ ~

As I read through this post again, I couldn't help but notice the ripple effect.  One life touching another and in turn that life touching others.  Susie touched many lives, including mine.  I will be forever grateful.


Blessings and love,
QuickEdit
Debbie Petras
21 Comments
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21 comments:

  1. Really nice post sis, love you.

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  2. What a special ministry! And great truth you just shared.

    I especially liked this line: "I now look for things I can respect about my husband and ...I tell him." This is SUCH A KEY in learning to respect our men. It makes a huge difference in marriages!!!

    Love to you, Debbie~ and continual prayers for you...
    Jen

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  3. I enjoyed your post, Dear. It is sad that so many children today have not been taught to respect others. I love your pretty picture. And you are very wise regarding the respect for your husband. Love you ~

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  4. Boy do we need mentors like this today! Our young women are prey to all the vain imaginings offered by our culture.

    Reverence is a huge attribute for we women. To me, it demonstrates the light and salt within, the discreet and honorable bent of a woman after God's own heart.

    Blessings,
    Kathleen

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  5. Your blog is like a breath of fresh air. Thank you.

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  6. What an amazing legacy Susie continues to weave into the lives of other women! I'm in awe.

    Wonderful post, Debbie.

    Praying for you.

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  7. Awesome! I have a special "Miss Susie" in my life & walk as well. God is so good!
    Wylie

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  8. Respect is one of those things there isn't enough of in our lives so I appreciated this post. I'm appalled at times by the lack of respect even Christians show toward others and we are the ones who should be setting the example. Thank you for the reminder, not only to respect the Lord and our husbands, but others as well.

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  9. Susie sounds amazing! What a blessing to have been a student of hers! How excellent :) I'm so glad she answered God's call on her life - and in turn - so many other lives were changed in positive ways! So cool.

    And yes - you are right. It is so important to teach children how to respectfully acknowledge others. We are trying to teach our very shy son to look people in the eye when they speak to him and such. Thanks for encouraging me to continue in our efforts!

    I hope you are having a great week, Debbie. I think you are great :)

    Love and Hugs,
    Kate :)

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  10. Oh, at first I thought that picture was you and your mom. You are so blessed to have Susie! I wish I had a mentor like that...

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  11. Susie sounds like an amazing woman! How awesome she has touched so many lives.

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  12. How wonderful Debbie! I love 'Susie' in your life, what an influence she has been to you and so many others. I love your comments about finding ways to tell our husbands that we respect them. It is such a big thing and it takes such a little effort.

    Good words Debbie!

    Hugs and love,

    Sonja

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  13. Dear Debbie,
    It must be the lord talking today, loud and clearly.
    I just came over from Sonia's. There I read what her mother had written in her note book:"Keep me truly humble, always seeking thy Glory, not mine own."
    Those words talked to me, because that's not how I usually pray.
    I talk to Jesus about my self and my worries, and often end up praying, "my will be done."
    So, I'm told by you to become humble again, become reverent, honoring others instead of myself.
    Knowing myself, what can I say, but, "Speak, Lord, your servant is listening."
    I cannot come up with promises, but I can plot in a new direction on my spiritual GPS.
    Thanks for being awake and sharing.
    From Felisol

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  14. I share the view of "Sassy Granny" who says that we need mentors like this today! Hugs. Philip

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  15. Debbie this is such a beautiful and inspiring story. What a gift from the Lord to have Susie in your life. I've never actually been mentored, although the Lord has positioned many women in my life that I have learned from and turned to for wisdom.

    You definitely have received a special gift to have a mentor!

    Thanks for participating and offering words of encouragement!

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  16. What a beautiful and encouraging message Debbie. Susie is obviously a special person as are you!!!

    Passing the torch on is what came to mind.

    Powerful word on "reverence"!!!

    Love you!

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  17. I've been searching for a long time for this! Thank goodness I found it on Yahoo.

    Thank you!

    KRYSTINA
    [url=http://efourmies.com/topblog/]find out[/url]

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  18. Your friendship is such a blessing. Thank you for the encouragement, the phone calls, the you! What an encouragement as well to continue to pour into the younger generation around me.

    Joyfully,
    Sarah Dawn

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  19. Beautiful post, Debbie. I agree, husbands crave respect more than anything else. I too read 'Love & Respect' and I believe God used that book to change me in a big way.

    I think it is so neat that you had such a great mentor

    Thank you for sharing your wisdom.

    Love & peace,
    Iris

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  20. It is amazing how one person can touch so many lives. Your friend Susie certainly was such a person. You are also one who touches many lives. I'm so glad you touched mine.
    Blessings,
    Charlotte

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