Recently I read a post by my friend, Tangie at Mrs. T’s Corner. The piece Blessings of Spiritual Mothers discusses who is a spiritual mother based on the Titus 2:3-5 that “the older women . . . may admonish the young women . . . that the word of God may not be blasphemed”. Reading Tangie’s blog got me to thinking about the women that have encouraged me in my Christian walk.

The most important influence in my Christian life is my own physical mother. Not only did she raise me in the nurture and admonition of the Lord, but as I’ve been an adult, she’s continued to encourage me in my faith. She has certainly been a Titus 2 woman for me.

My life has also been impacted by other ladies that I consider were Titus 2 women for me. I grew up in Nashville, TN and attended the small congregation of Pennington Bend church of Christ. At Pennington, I was blessed with many people that influenced my life but three ladies standout for me. These three ladies showed interest in me and encouraged me as a young Christian.

Mrs. Charlotte Ryan greatly impacted my life when she reached out to me to help her teach in the four and five year old classroom. I’m so thankful that she took a chance on a 13 year old girl to assist her in her classroom and to train me to teach a bible class. It is no doubt her influence that I teach bible classes today.

Mrs. Betty Edwards lived a few houses down from the house where I grew up. She’s a precious soul who influenced my life with her example of kindness, hospitality and love for others. Her initiative to write a women’s bible study book sparked the idea of me writing a bible study book and through that desire to write a book came this blog.

Another lady, that knew me as a baby at Pennington, is the daughter of Mrs. Betty, Martha Ramsey. Mrs. Martha has been another Titus 2 woman for me. She offered me support and guidance to me during my ‘new mom’ days. She was a source of knowledge when I was at a new congregation. She guided and advised me in teaching the cradle roll class. While her mother sparked the dream of writing, Mrs. Martha encourages my writing with her comments and support.

Today I give thanks for the Titus 2 women in my life. It is by their influence and example that I am who I am today.

“the older women likewise, that they be reverent in behavior, not slanderers, not given to much wine, teachers of good things– that they admonish the young women to love their husbands, to love their children,  to be discreet, chaste, homemakers, good, obedient to their own husbands, that the word of God may not be blasphemed.” Titus 2:3-5

Until next time,