Isn’t it lovely to be able to open our windows and let the spring air in? When we moved to Rockford in February of 2005, I confess that the month of May brought on some fear and anxiety.  Being from Southern California and then moving to the Midwest, the tornado scene in The Wizard of Oz was forever etched in my mind (lol). Knowing that spring was the time for tornadoes, I often dreaded it. I am happy to say that God has changed me so much since that year as I have grown to love and stand in awe of the amazing thunderclouds that move in with the spring storms.  So far I haven’t had to click my red heels three times and wish I was somewhere else. 

With so many changes in my life the last few years, I have found myself thinking about seasons. A few weeks ago John and I had the privilege of spending some time with a group of friends that we’ve known for over 35 years. Together we served in the youth ministry of Grace Community Church in Southern CA around 1990. Truth be told, I was in the youth ministry (lol), they were serving on the youth staff. It’s actually sort of astounding to see that we are all still walking with the Lord. The four pastors that came out of that ministry are STILL pastors and the three other couples are STILL faithfully serving the Lord in their local churches. Isn’t God faithful? 

One particular morning, I found myself on the porch, catching up with Dee. Back in 1990, Dee was one of my first discipleship leaders and mentors. I was 16 and she was 48 and she had so much to offer me. Most of the time, I wanted to hear her direct, truth telling insight. She had been married 30 years, had raised two adult children and was a recent empty-nester. The things that Dee taught me then were golden and I am forever grateful. As I sat across the table, looking at this beautiful, godly woman of now 80 years, I found myself asking for her wisdom again. No surprises, the things she shared with me were still just as golden. 

Tom and Dee are a treasure of wisdom and experience for the little church they attend in Napa, CA and while I could wish they attended Redeemer, I remember that we have a church FULL of Tom and Dee’s. People who have walked with God through the seasons. People who have raised children from newborns to adults, people who have married off their children and now have grandchildren and great grandchildren. People who have lived a lifetime of singleness. People who have cared for aging and sick parents, people who have buried their parents, buried their spouses and even have buried their children. People who have lived through the ups and downs of career changes and moving homes. And woven through their life story is the faithfulness of God. 

Titus 2:3 is the hallmark verse that comes to mind when I think about Dee Ellison. She and Tom could have enjoyed the good life of empty-nesting but instead opened their home to 70 youth staff every Tuesday night, went to youth group on Sunday mornings and Wednesday nights, and met weekly with rascally students like me. Older training the younger. 

My encouragement to you this spring? Two things: Be teachable and be available. 

Be teachable! Be the younger seeking out the older. Look around you at Redeemer. There are so many wonderfully wise women to glean from. Look for someone a few years ahead of you (in age or maturity). Ask them to meet for coffee or to go on a walk and then ask them a million questions about anything and everything.  Don’t think you have all the answers. One of the things that Dee said to me was that young people don’t ask for insight like they used to. What a shame. I don’t have all the answers and neither do you. We need the godly wisdom of those who have gone before us. Resist the urge to get all your wisdom from your peers, those in your same seasons. Get outside your friend group, and as the Proverbs often tell us, seek counsel from the wise. 

Be available! Be the older seeking the younger. There are those who may be a couple of years behind you in age or maturity who need your encouragement. Your season of life is probably pretty busy but God expects us to pass the truth along (2 Timothy 2:2). Ask them to meet for coffee or to go on a walk and then ask them a million questions (same strategy!). Don’t be so busy that you aren’t available to others. If someone asks, say yes!  Don’t think because you haven’t arrived at a certain level of spirituality that you don’t have some wisdom to share. You at least have God’s Word which is timeless, and what He has been teaching you. 

God is doing so much at Redeemer and it’s very exciting. Let’s welcome His work in our lives this summer as we seek to become more teachable and more available. For His Glory! 

Hebrews 4:24 And let us consider how to stir up one another to love and good works.

Grace and love, 

Betsey Dirkse