I didn’t intend to eavesdrop.
My sole purpose for being at the The Black Bear Coffee Co. in Hendersonville NC was to write while Brian shopped for vintage vinyl finds, five miles down the road.
On the cafe table, three essentials: laptop, a fragrant cup of non-fat goodness, aka lavender latte, and plenty of napkins. I’m messy that way.
As I tapped the keys to the rhythm of the music, the conversation next to me in our tight corner space, prompted a grateful pause more than once.
One woman did most of the talking as if she might be counseling the other. The tone of her voice reflected the zeal in her heart as she shared the gospel, the importance of remaining pure before marriage, and how a woman should expect to be treated by a Christian man. I marveled at her wisdom and the authority with which she shared it.
I couldn’t ignore them any longer.
I removed the earbuds, scooched away from my tiny cafe table and leaned over. I’m not intentionally eavesdropping, *smile* but I want to tell you that you are wise beyond your years, and to hear you share the gospel with such conviction warmed my heart.
One young woman was eighteen. The other, twenty-one. Both broke smiles that would rival wide Autumn skies as we began sharing our faith stories. Their enthusiasm was contagious. When I stood up to return to my table, the eighteen-year-old reached out and said, Our generation needs women like you to pour into us.
And that’s when the tears began to pour.
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. Titus 2:3
Joan Coker was one of those women for me. I was a new Christ-follower when we first became members of the church. We never studied the Word together one-on-one, but I studied her life, her decisions, and prayers, all leaving an indelible mark on me.
I’m still learning what it means to be a Joan Coker. I tend to be overly concerned that I’m intruding in a person’s life, so I step back, wait and watch.
At the risk of being dramatic, none of us have that kind of time.
Today⏤more than ever⏤we need each other.
Since meeting the two young women in the cafe, I’m pondering ways to “pour” into the lives of younger women. Below are a few that have come to mind in recent days.
Embrace Community
God wired us for biblical community. Yes, even us introverts. Since moving to the country, I’ve sensed a tug to be involved with women at a nearby campus. I don’t know one woman yet, but God does and I look forward to seeing what He will do. Want to join me in praying for God’s lead on that particular adventure? (I’d love to pray for yours too!)
Take Risks
This looks different for us all. Maybe it means reaching out to someone we normally wouldn’t, at the risk of seeming foolish.
Live a Great Story
When the eighteen-year-old woman spoke her words, I was struck with both conviction and resolve. Conviction, because I need to steam/prepare less and pour more.
Resolve, because:
- I’m determined to finish the race with as much⏤if not more⏤zeal than when I began.
- I refuse to fade away from the Church, serving, community and sharing the gospel just because the age spots darken.
- I now understand the power of the eavesdrop and I want those who might overhear my conversations to be as inspired as I was that day in the cafe.
I want to live a great story⏤not perfect, but pourable.
Lori Roeleveld describes what it means to live a great story (and more!) in her marvelous post, Five Ways to Be An Older Woman Younger Woman Can Hear.
After leaving the cafe, it occurred to me that I didn’t know their names and they didn’t know mine. My first thought was to return to the hallelujah corner, but then there was this quiet understanding: Jesus was the focus of our conversation, and that One name was really all we needed to know.
How do you pour into the lives of the next generation? Or, how can I pray for you as you set out on this new adventure?
It is only when we pour into others that we ourselves are filled.
Oh, the anticipation of it all! I love everything about The Joyful Life: Heart & Home Inspiration for Women. And I loved it long before I became an affiliate for this beautiful site. I’m currently working through their Bible study, Counting it All Joy. More details on that at a later date, but today I want to give you a heads up on the opportunity to pre-order the premiere issue. Shipping begins this week.
**As an affiliate, I will receive a small commission when you purchase products from the site using my links. It doesn’t increase your cost and it helps this coffee lover grab a fancy latte every once and a while. Most importantly, I only promote products that I myself enjoy and value.
Here’s what you’ll find in this premiere issue of The Joyful Life. (I love that every issue will have a Titus 2 Interview. Pour away, sisters!)
INSIDE THE JOYFUL LIFE:
- Heart & Home Inspiration
- Spiritual Growth Articles
- Honest Stories of Real Women
- Stunning Original Images
- Lifestyle Features
- Seasonal Inspiration
- Creative Pursuits
- Lists and Journaling Prompts
- Recipes
- Gift Guide
- Featured Product Reviews | In Every Issue
- Titus 2 Feature Interview | In Every Issue
- The Lost Art Series | In Every Issue
- & MUCH MORE!
Wouldn’t this make the perfect Christmas gift? Pre-order your copy, or yearly subscription, here.
Thank you for spending time with me on the hill today! Hope you’ll join me next week for Tiny House Tuesday.
Subscribers to The Tiny House on the Hill: Be sure to check this month’s letter to download your copy of “30 Slips of Gratitude” to enjoy throughout this month. It’s never too late to start!
You reach more of us than you can imagine, my beautiful friend. Some of us sit back in the shadows, and drink in your every word. But we are here… have no doubts about that. xoxo
Oh my goodness, Pru. This means so much. Thank you. 🙂
Your words from your written pages reaches beyond your imagination as an out reach tool for the Lord, Cathy.
My out reach tool is a teacup. I host teas. Sometimes it’s one lady or other times it may be over 30 women in my home to enjoy tea and a sweet treat. Nevertheless, the best is tasting that the Lord is good through sharing our stories of Him in our lives.
I’m proud of you for being a risk-taker and talking to the young ladies at the coffee shop. You made a big difference in their lives that day. Well done.
As one who has enjoyed tea with you, I can only imagine the impact you’re making as you pour into the lives of those welcomed around your table. I know how much those times have meant to me. You’re such a blessing! Thank you for taking the time to share.
Our Small Group ladies have had similar conversations about pouring into younger women. Our church is unique in that we have many seminary singles and couples so sometimes it’s intimidating to have spiritual conversations. But my husband and I enjoy practicing hospitality with young couples and singles plus engaging in conversation and we are the seniors in our Small Group.
Your heart for hospitality has always inspired me, Daphne. The younger women in your congregation are truly blessed.
Cathy, you have poured your wisdom into my life for many years. You are a blessing to many and I am grateful for your friendship. I think that we as moms have a duty to pour into our young girls showing them the way God wants them to live and conduct themselves as young Christian women. Sometimes we think they aren’t listening but, they are…..
Yes they are! Your girls are certainly blessed to have you as a role model, Becky. Thank you for the kind words. 🙂 Our friendship is a treasure. Love you!
I love this! Makes me want to go hang out in a coffee shop! I was blessed to serve as a MOPS mentor mom at my church the past seven years. I loved it. The young moms are just amazing. I stepped down this year since my husband and I are gone so often but I still keep up with them on social media.
MOPS is an amazing ministry and I agree — young moms are blazing gospel trails. I see this in my own daughter-in-laws. Their struggles are quite different than mine were at that stage. God bless you for continuing to pour into their lives, Kim.
Gee thanks, Cathy. Reading about your Hallelujah Corner interchange prompted tears down my cheeks. *sniff, sniff It isn’t easy to set aside the feelings some of us “seasoned saints” have that nobody cares what we say. Thank you for your encouragement to move toward each other.
I agree that it can feel that way sometimes and obviously it’s true in some cases, but the Hallelujah Corner reminded me that there are those who long for the connection. Perhaps more than we could ever know. I thought about your participation in the recent women’s conference and how it undoubtedly touched women of all ages. God bless you, friend!
This article SO resonates with me Cathy. Not long ago I was feeling my age and wondering for the umpteenth time if I’d become irrelevant (the enemy loves to whisper that word to me). The Lord gently corrected me and reminded me that everything He walked with me through
Is meant to be shared to encourage to the younger generations. Last night I sat across from two beautiful young women in my living room and felt so blessed that God brought them into my life to disciple and to offer hope through the hard places. We never retire from ministry.
Amen, sister! The enemy may want to whisper us into retirement but we know the truth — it’s never about us — our age, or anything else. It’s all God, as your “Hallelujah Corner” in the living room proved. You’ve inspired me, Patricia (no surprise there!) God bless you.
Your words brought sweet memories of my two Titus women. I learned at their gentle teaching. We lifted our voices together in praise. Today one sits at the feet of Jesus. One day we will again lift voices together. Thanks for sharing.
It’s nice to step back and remember those women who have poured into us over the years. Joan, my Titus 2, is also sitting at the feet of Jesus. Oh, what a sweet reunion that will be one day! Thank you for sharing, Kathy.
Cathy, you just spoke what’s been on my heart. The next generation needs godly women to pour truth into them. Thank you for sharing this.
And thank you, Sheryl, for pouring into the lives of women through your studies. We need one another and it’s God’s truth that binds us. God bless you!
I so enjoy reading your blog, Cathy! Anytime I read your words, they’re soothing – time spend in The Tiny House on the Hill is refreshing. I cuddle up and relax in the big soft blanket you leave out for me.
This makes me smile from the inside out, Connie. 🙂 You always have a blanket to call your own in the Tiny House on the Hill. Blessings, friend!
Beautiful post, Cathy! Betty did this for me. I pray every woman has a Betty and that maybe I can be that for someone too.
I love seeing the names of Titus 2 women showing up in the comments. There’s something about naming them that gives their pouring even more meaning. I have a special “Betty” in my life too, and I agree that everybody needs one. 🙂 Thanks for sharing, Kim!
I have had the privilege of teaching the young married class the last two years. I enjoyed pouring into them and watching them grow spiritually and emotionally as spouses and parents.
I look forward to your posts. We have a lot in common. Sometimes I just want to be a hermit but I am passionate about sharing Jesus every time a door is open.
Have a blessed day. Shalom rav!
That is most certainly a privilege, Jean. I love that your desire to “pour” overrides the part that wants to hide away — I totally get it and am still a work-in-progress in that regard. You inspire me! Thank you for taking the time to share. 🙂
This is so beautiful, Cathy. You always inspire me. I love how God uses His people for His glory, when and where He chooses. I’m thankful for the seasoned women who took the time to pour little bits of wisdom into my life. I hope to do the same for others. And thanks for another great reason to visit our local coffee shops!
You do exactly that, Joann, pouring little bits of wisdom into every word you write. Not to mention your life and testimony. Blessings, friend.
Oh, Cathy. You are in the well-balanced full yet overflowing position, friend. And I thought I was late for this post. When I consider my conversation with a younger woman last night – how it paralleled your post – I am convinced God is impressing it is time to move forward in this ministry. So glad your unintentional evesdropping unfolded into a divine appointment 🙂
You’re never too late to the conversation, Charla. 🙂 I’m praying for this younger woman God brought across your path. What a blessing!