Recently, the team I serve with at LifeWay hosted a special event called, Generations...The Unbroken Chain." This unique weekend brought women together from every stage of life and focused on understanding and reaching each generation—from Seniors to Boomers to Gen Xers to Girls.
As a part of the weekend, Esther Burroughs asked the women to participate in a unique exercise. Each one received a note card. Esther asked the older women to write on the card a note to younger women, and younger women to write to older women. They were to ask questions, give advice, or say anything they wanted to the opposite generation.
I thought it would be helpful for you to hear what older women would say to those of us in the "younger" generation (yes, I think that term is relative!). Here's a sampling of what they wrote or asked:
"I'd like to know how to help you avoid some of the pitfalls I've encountered. They're still out there and I see you headed into them. I'd like to build you a bridge."—Glenda, age 60
"Oh, how I long to have your energy again! You have all your life to serve God, do it joyfully. Laugh with your family."—Beverly, age 65
"What would you consider a meaningful legacy I could leave you?"—Marian, age 72
"I need you in my life. I would like to encourage you, to let you know you can make it. To share with you makes me feel young and restores memories of my life, my husband, and my children."
"I wish I knew how to convince you that God is real, that He speaks to you intimately if you will walk with Him. I wish I knew how to convince you that the whole Bible is truth—every single word."—Cathy, age 58
"Please be patient with those of us who are not so tech savvy or up with the latest lingo. We want to to understand."
"May I tell you that God will never leave you. He loves you so much and nothing is beyond His care."—Charlotte, age 67
"God loves you and knows you better than you know yourself."
"Your enthusiasm inspires me and reminds me to think young. Please put aside your preconceived ideas about me, and don't lose patience with me as I learn to change my traditional ways. Old dogs can learn new tricks!"—Gina, age 51
"How can I help you to have a deep love for those of us who have reached the golden years? There seems to be such a gap between us—that you do not want to have anything to do with us, no love, no communication. Please tell me what can I do?"—Shirley, age 69
"I seek to learn from you new ways and new things that have not been available to me so far. There are lots of things, espeically technological ones, that you are comfortable with and I'm not. Please be patient with me as I'm a little slower than you are."—Sandi, age 61
"I would like to know from you that you have a commitment to pick up the baton. Because many of our age have a limited time to make a difference."—Carole, age 69
Titus 2 remains the cornerstone of what we do in girls' minstry—the older generations pouring into the younger. The task ahead of us is to tear down the walls so that we can create an atmosphere in which God can work, creating an unbroken chain between generations. The way He intended all along.
Now it's your turn. What would you say to the younger generation? What would you say to the older generation? Post your thoughts!
This is so encouraging! The younger generations are crying out for interaction with these women. I recently made a blog post along similar lines, an appeal to the older generations to initiate mentoring/discipling relationships with those who are in the younger generations:
http://bit.ly/1JHTYe
What little research I've done (with more to come I hope!) shows that the younger generations are remarkably open to mentoring relationships with those 10, 20, or even more years older than them. The majority of them just want someone to talk to.
Basically what I'm seeing is that there is willingness on both sides. I guess the question is, how do we meet in the middle?
I'm in that middle place -- I'm 45, a little too old to be young, but a little too young (at least in my opinion) to be the older generation.
But let me share something with y'all that I'm learning. God's will happens in the small stuff. It happens in the every day stuff. It happens while you're in school and it happens while you're choosing a husband and raising a family.
I spent a lot of years seeking God's Will...and while I was looking for it, I was living it. We women are often worried that we're missing out on God's Will for our life, but the Lord has a plan for your life -- and it's in the big stuff and it's in the small, every day stuff. Enjoy the life He's blessed you with. Embrace it and know this -- God rejoices over you! Read Zeph 3:17 and live your life by Proverbs 3:5-6.
To those older than me . . . Thank you for taking the time to sit down with me and share your life with me, for encouraging me and for loving me where I'm at.
To those younger than me . . . Really think about your faith, ask hard questions. I am confident you will find answers.
You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart. Jer 29:13