“Older women ….so train the young women to ….so that the word of God may not be reviled” (Titus 2:3-5)
Do you often feel like no one cares or is listening? You think what you are doing is not that important? Do you see certain needs, and want others to come around you to help but somehow feel you are the only one with the vision?
In 2000, I was interviewing a leader from an International Organization. She had been the President’s wife of that company for many years. She was a counterpart of mine at that time but she was considered one of those “older women who could teach younger women” like myself.
I was just starting out as a corporate leader’s wife at that time, and had a desire for reaching out to our women around the world. I liked what I saw in her experience and spirit and wanted to learn from her as I went forward.
If we desire something but lack the resources, or skill, what do you think would be a next step?
- Ask! You can learn from others. It is good to look around and see others leading with competence. Learn to ask them good questions. Go and ask if you could interview or spend some time with them. I am sure they would love to share with you what God is doing in their lives and would willingly pass it on to you. Asking leaders to teach you has Biblical precedent.
.”..entrust to faithful men (and women) who will be able to teach others also” (II Timothy 2:2)
“Older women ….so train the young women to ….so that the word of God may not be reviled” (Titus 2:3-5)
(Trip to Peru last Fall 2015, investing time in a few short-termer’s)
So are you wondering what I learned from her?
As Director of Women, her Mission supported and resourced her efforts. Intrigued, I wanted to know how she got such buy-in from the Leadership.
Show or Illustrate your work by stories!: She said something like, “Sterling you need to show what you do by the stories you tell, the importance of it. Women and men often must see it before they embrace it. What better way than by telling them through a story? They need to visualize your vision. By doing this you illustrate or validate it’s importance.”
This got me to thinking. Often, I want to tell the importance of what I am doing and why, hoping others get it. But missed the vital role stories play in gaining traction with key gatekeepers. Almost like the phrase “A Picture is worth a thousand words.” The stories would speak volumes to the importance of the work among our women. Do you use stories to promote your work? Are they effective?
(Time in Philippines with two ladies I invested time into 1982-1995)
- As I look back in history, how do I know about what women did and the contributions they made? They weren’t at first written down in the history books. We know them by the stories told. Passing down history in Biblical times often were continued through stories. As history books came into print they were many times written from the viewpoint of men who wrote those books. These writings often left out women. However we learned later what these women actually contributed through the stories told and passed down. (Refer to Ruth A. Tucker p. 10)
- Ladies we need to tell our stories! How is God working in your life? How is he making a difference? What is God teaching you? How is he making a difference in the lives of the ladies or people you are investing in? What are their stories? The world needs to know and we need to hear it from each other. Hebrew 10:24 says “Consider how you might spur one another on to love and good deeds…”
My greatest mentors were the women in the biographies I read. These women inspired me by their stories, by their faith and courage to do the impossible. Because they believed in a God of the impossible, I now had the courage to pursue to do the same . I also learned through their failures. Even if I failed, God could still work through me. I didn’t have to have it all together, all the time or before I began something.
- We are inspired by the stories we hear and the people we meet: So write down your stories so others can read them and pass along to future generations. May we mobilize women together for the Kingdom of God in all seasons of life and with one story at a time.
Personal Reflections: Think of one story that you have told many times lately. Either it was about you or someone else that made an impact on you. Write it down. If it didn’t mean anything you would not be (re)telling it. What did you enjoy or get from the story? Is there a message in there that others could glean from? Write that down. Now go back out and tell it again. Tell us! We want to hear it. We want to be blessed by your story. Feel free to share your story in the comment section of the blog or any thoughts you have.
(Tucker, Ruth. Guardians of the Great Commission (The Story of Women in Modern Missions): ZondervanPublishingHouse, Grand Rapids, Michigan, 1988)
From one pilgrim to another together on the journey,
”Consider how you may spur one another on towards love and good deeds….. encouraging one another–and all the more as you see the Day approaching.” Hebrews 10:24-25 (NIV)
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