Of knitting, mothballs and politics...

I am one of several Small Group Coaches at my church for the women’s groups. Pretty much that means that I'm suppose to meet with all of the leaders of women’s groups to encourage them, discuss how their groups are going and then I pray for them. I'm even supposed to visit their group once per semester. Needless to say, I've been really bad about this.

Last night I went to visit a group. This was a group of elderly ladies that get together, knit and discuss the Bible. It's funny. I don't intentionally shy away from older people. In general, I really like them but for some reason I was not looking forward to last night. When it comes to knitting, my 3-month-old baby girl can knit better than I can. I can barely tie my own shoes. How am I supposed to make a blanket or something out of a piece of string and two metal pokey things?

When I arrived, I was greeted by the group. I soon found out that I was the youngest by 50 years! Everyone was really nice and friendly. My main job was to sit and listen. I never knew that listening would make a group of old women so happy! You’d think that I was Gloria Gaither stepping into the room to sign autographs. They pulled everything out of their bags and showed me what they were for. I saw every stitch and learned every purpose of each knitting project. Everything seemed to kind of have that “old person” smell to it. You know, like mothballs or something.

The conversations went from the Bible and what’s happening in the Middle East to menopause and cat pee. I think we hit everything in between too! I can’t say that I was totally “spiritually challenged” last night. I think the lesson kind of got shoved to the side because they were excited that I was there. But I did learn somethings that weren’t spoken out loud. The Bible talks in Titus 2:3-4 of the older women teaching the younger.

“Guide older women into lives of reverence so they end up as neither gossips nor drunks, but models of goodness. By looking at them, the younger women will know how to love their husbands and children, be virtuous and pure, keep a good house, be good wives. We don't want anyone looking down on God's Message because of their behavior.” (MSG)

I listened to these women talk about their families and friends and how much they cherished them. I watched them show pride in their work. I watched them laugh and giggle like silly school girls. I was amazed at how much fun I had. So, I didn’t learn anything “deep” this time. But I did learn about life. I think I’m going to make it a habit of observing those who are older than me. They can teach me a lot not only by the things that they say but also by the things that they do. The Bible does indeed honor age and wisdom:

“Gray hair is a crown of glory; it is gained by living a godly life.” Proverbs 16:31 (NLT)

"Show your fear of God by standing up in the presence of elderly people and showing respect for the aged. I am the LORD.” Leviticus 19:32 (NLT)

“Wisdom belongs to the aged, and understanding to those who have lived many years.” Job 12:12 (NLT)

“Never speak harshly to an older man, but appeal to him respectfully as though he were your own father. Talk to the younger men as you would to your own brothers. Treat the older women as you would your mother, and treat the younger women with all purity as your own sisters.” 1 Timothy 5:1-2 (NLT)

I turn 25 next Tuesday and I think I have a new outlook on it. I was starting to get depressed for being “a quarter of a century” old. Wisdom does belong to the aged. I’ll take the extra year if it means I’ll get some wisdom to go along with it. Gray hair is a crown of glory. Thank, God! I’ve already found a “glory tiara” starting to show up on my head! And if it means that I can be a better wife, mom and woman by learning from older women, bring it on!