Today, I'm joining eLisa at Extravagant Grace. One of her themes for this new year is Becoming Titus 2 in 2010. She's asked us to share about becoming a Titus 2 woman in the midst of today's culture.
Titus 2:3-5 NIV says:
"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."
I was born in the '50s and grew up in the turbulent '60s; a time of unrest, change and rebellion. The unpopular Vietnam War, women's lib and free love; you get the picture. I read Betty Friedan's book The Feminine Mystique and Cosmopolitan magazine.
Women were no longer going to be barefoot and pregnant but instead have equal rights with men. The workforce changed as more women tried to have it all; family and career.
During that time, I wasn't living a life of dependence on the Lord. I claimed to be a Christian as I had invited Jesus into my heart years earlier. In retrospect, Jesus was my Savior but He was not Lord of my life. Debbie was in charge and I was ...independent and strong.
I wasn't a Titus 2 woman, that's for sure.
I've since grown in my faith. I've learned what it is to walk with the Lord and to feel what it's like to be truly loved by God. He has done a work within my heart. I still have my mind, will and emotions but I choose to yield them to Him out of love. And what I've found is that ...there is great peace in that.
It's a peace I never knew when I went my own way, was concerned with my rights, and determined to be equal with any man.
What does it mean to be a Titus 2 woman?
- Her life is characterized by love which comes from the close relationship she has with the Lord.
- She's not dependent on her husband and/or children to fill her needs.
- When her family does something wonderful, she loves it but isn't dependent on how they respond to feel significant or to be validated.
- She realizes that she won't always have that "in love" feeling all the time with her husband but knows that love is a choice.
- She shows respect to her husband and looks for ways she can verbally tell him so.
- She has a daily quiet time for prayer and reading the Bible and ...listening.
- She enjoys sharing lessons she's learned with the younger women but also learns from them.
- She's a life long learner.
What is the general sense in the Christian community?
I've been encouraged by young Christian women who are living their lives in the power of the Holy Spirit. Many are home schooling their children so they can teach them Christian values.
What is the world's response?
I think many do not understand and think that we are narrow in our beliefs. Some think that we are being subservient to men and do not understand the strengths of men and women in a godly relationship. There are always Christians who pervert and take Scripture out of context for their own benefit. I think this is wrong and gives the wrong impression to the world.
What are the challenges as we pursue the mission of becoming a Titus 2 woman?
We need to put Romans 12:1-2 into practice. We offer ourselves as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God because of what Jesus did for us. And then we don't conform to the world's standards and patterns. Instead, we study His Word and allow Him to transform us ...from the inside out.
We yield our lives to Him so that He can do a work in us and through us to impact others. When we do this, His love overflows from us and others will notice the difference. And God gets the glory. Not Debbie, that's for sure.
Where do we find encouragement and support to press on?
I can tell you that I have been personally blessed and encouraged through blogging. I've met women of all ages who have a desire to live a Titus 2 life. We learn from one another. As we become more transparent in our blog posts, we identify with each other. I've received emails and prayer requests and I have to say how honored I am by this.
I've wanted to mentor younger women and the Lord has brought them right to my home through the internet. And at the same time, they teach me. How good is that? I am so encouraged by these women who already are so much more spiritually mature than I was at their age. My heart is warmed and encouraged for this next generation.
Wow; I never intended to write such a long post. I didn't realize I had so much to say about being a Titus 2 woman in today's culture. Don't forget to visit eLisa at Extravagant Grace to join in or read other's take on this topic.
Blessings and love,
I found some old photos that I had to share with you. This is right after Christine was brought home from the hospital. I was thrilled to have a little sister. My brother Steve had hoped for a brother but I think he was pretty happy with her, after all.
Here my brother Steve is holding Christine who looks like a little doll. Of course, I had my own doll to hold. 
Here she is when she was about two or three years old with our cousin James. She had fallen down the stairs and broke her ankle. That's the truth too. She still had a smile!
Here she is all grown up. I think she was in her twenties here. Hmm ...I think that's my dress. We used to borrow each other's clothes. 
Chris was my maid of honor at Greg and my wedding in November of 1984.
Here is Christine with her family. Her husband Pat and her stepsons Zach and Taylor. And she's a dog lover. Ren has since died but she now has Jack.
