Being a Titus Girl

Recently I had the pleasure of studying the book of Titus with a group of women. These verses from Titus stood out in our study, we thought back on the women who have taught us in words and actions to live as Godly women.

“Teach the older women to be reverent in the way they live, not to be slanderers or addicted to wine but to teach what is good. Then they can train the younger women to love their husbands and children, to be self controlled and pure and to be busy at home, to be kind and to be subject to their husbands, so that no one will malign the word of God.”

Titus 2:3-5 NIV

Who are the women, the ‘Titus girls’ who have been your role models, your mentors? Could you write about them here at Tirzah? What specific ways did they teach you?

How could you and I be a Titus girl for someone else?

As was my tradition over the last few years, I took time over my birthday month to spend time in quiet, to write a gratitude list as long as the number of candles on my cake. As I thought back over the years past, I was grateful for the many women who had shaped me, molded me, invested in me, giving me time, training and most importantly praying with and for me as they modelled a Godly life.

My mother - Mrs Renuka Susikaran

I have heard it said that a mother can never be a friend too, but Amma and I proved that statement wrong. We were the best of friends. I entered Amma's world when she was 20, straight out of Uni and married to a man she admired and loved.. From that moment I became my mother’s treasure. If you are a regular at Tirzah Mag you will know that my Mum has been a tremendous influence in my life. She passed away many years back, but her life of strength, wisdom and love has taught me much.

If you have missed them, here is one about my mother from Tirzah.

Shoba’s Corner - A life well lived

https://tirzahmag.com/blog/shobas-corner-a-life-well-lived

My MOTHER-IN-LAW - Mrs Kamala Rajasingh

I called her Kum aunty. When I married into the family, I was joyfully welcomed by her with love and affection. It was from her that I learnt the importance of starting the day right. During the few months we stayed with them, I heard/saw her praying, reading the Bible and singing hymns in the wee hours of the morning when I was cuddled up in bed or going to the kitchen to get my morning coffee.  She was a working woman who organized her home, kitchen, meals and wardrobe meticulously. I learnt from her that this was simple but not easy. She lived out this verse from Proverbs 31.

“She gets up while it is still dark, she provides for the family and portions for her servant girls.”

Proverbs 31:15

 Today, several decades into the future, my days are scheduled to accommodate time for cooking, daily walks, connecting with family and my own writing projects, but always my days start with Jesus and hot tea by the large window. A lesson learnt from her as she lived out the Proverbs 31 girl!

“She sets about her role vigorously, her arms are strong for her tasks.”

Proverbs 31:17

Kum aunty would cut veggies, clean the toilet, prepare for a Bible study, and do her office accounts with the same enthusiasm and strength. She was ‘clothed with strength and dignity’ and ‘watched over the affairs of her household’ without being idle.  (Proverbs 31:25 & 27)

The biggest lesson I learnt from my mother-in-law was this. Once I drove the family car and had rammed into a gate and the headlight had crashed and broken. I came into the house, feeling awful, my eyes full of tears and told her the story. She said that it was ok, she told me that I should not worry and added,
I am glad you are well. You are more important than the car.”

Recently I heard Emma Pears, author of What Does It Matter in a podcast and the phrase she uses to get calm in a stressful situation. ‘As long as everyone is fed, clothed, warm, safe and loved, its ok.’  I think my mother in law would have agreed with her 100%.

Aunty loved worshiping at church and was never absent or late at a church service. My husband who is the product of her parenting is very much the same and for that I am so thankful.

Godliness does not just happen, we have to work on it, as this hymn so rightly says.

“Take time to be holy, speak oft with the Lord

Abide in Him always and feed on His word

Make friends of God’s children, help those who are weak

Forgetting in nothing His blessing to seek.”

W. D.  Longstaff

What can you and I learn from these Godly women? 

Is there a habit we could start?