We had three babies under the age of one. We’d adopted our firstborn daughter and then given birth to twins thirteen months later. Everything was triple the love, but also triple the lack of sleep, triple the diapers, and triple the trips up and down the stairs for naptime. Not to mention triple the cribs, car seats, and high chairs.
During this time our family and friends were so kind and helpful—especially my mom. I remember one afternoon, one of my mom’s friends named Donna asked if I could use some help. She was only an acquaintance at the time, but I was aware she had two adopted daughters and had fostered over forty infants. Quite a resume!
Knowing how wonderful she was with children, I couldn’t refuse her kind offer. I didn’t know at the time, but just like Mary Poppins showed up at Cherry Tree Lane, my own Mary Poppins had just entered our little world on Cherry Branch Drive.
Stepping In
Just a few short months later, my mom broke her shoulder and needed months of rehabilitation. In God’s amazing provision, He had prepared Donna to step in and give us so much support and practical help. If it hadn’t been for her, I don’t know how I would have made it through the months without my mom’s help.
Donna poured herself into our family. She sent my husband and me out on date nights, brought toys for the kids, and often called asking if I wanted a coffee. I’ll never forget how she encouraged me and my children, laughed with us, taught us valuable lessons, and showed me how to delight in my children. And never once did it feel like we were a burden to her.
A Tangible Expression Of Titus 2
As I look back at that unique season of my life, I am grateful and humbled that I experienced the tangible expression of Titus 2, which says that older women are to, “teach what is good, and to train the young women to love their husbands and children, to be self-controlled, pure, working at home, kind, and submissive to their own husband, that the word of God may not be reviled.” (Titus 2: 3-5 ESV)
Donna taught me through her example as she served my family. She loved my children and helped me love them better. Her actions planted Kingdom seeds in the soil of their little hearts that continue to grow today.
Helping Each Other
I had the joy of being offered this beautiful act of service and since then have pursued other older women to come alongside me as I attempt to be an offering of love as a wife and mother.
God knows we can’t do it alone. The body of believers is meant to be His hands and feet. In each season we can ask Him to provide what we need or how we provide what someone else needs.
This could be by reaching out to an older woman for her wisdom, help, or prayer. Or on the flip side, if you are an older woman, perhaps there is a younger woman in your community who would be blessed by an encouraging note, kind word, or an offer of an afternoon out. There is always someone behind us or ahead of us on this journey we can bless.
Picking Up My Own Umbrella
Not everyone can step into someone else’s life the way Donna did in mine. But oftentimes it’s the small acts of encouragement that can be life-giving to a tired mama. Donna was a living example of a Titus 2 woman and showed me how intentional help and kindness can impact someone’s life forever even if it’s just for a season. In living out her role as an older woman training a younger woman, she affected our family for eternity. When my season of life changes and my kids are grown, I hope I can be a Mary Poppins for a young mom like Donna was to me.
How about you? What does it look like for you to pick up your umbrella?
About The Guest Author:
Lauren Rohwer is an undeserving and grateful follower of Jesus, wife to her beloved Paul, adoptive and biological mom of four (+ 1 glory baby), suburban housewife turned farmer’s wife and COO of her family’s farming enterprise. She’s currently homeschooling three of her children and in her free time loves to read, write and hang with her girlfriends.
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