Encouraging Young Moms This Mother’s Day

“Older women likewise are to be reverent in behavior, not slanderers or slaves to much wine. They are to teach what is good, and so train the young women to love their husbands and children, to be self-controlled, pure, working at home, kind, and submissive to their own husbands, that the word of God may not be reviled.” – Titus 2:3-5

Have you ever thought about how to fulfill the Titus 2 model of womanhood?

Maybe you thought: “I do not have time to reach out and mentor others, yet I know that Scripture instructs the older women to teach the younger women. I just don’t know how to do it.”

God has a way of bringing a truth to the forefront that we should have known before, yet it is an “Aha!” moment. That happened recently when a friend suggested that we as grandmothers need to be that Titus 2 influence to the mothers of our grandchildren.

It does not matter if they are our daughters or daughters-in-law. It doesn’t even matter if they are not interested or maybe living in direct opposition to our faith.

Keep in mind that we need to mentor according to need. One size fits all does not work in mentoring! Also, remember that giving unsolicited advice often comes across as criticism. So always pray, be available, be ready to encourage and edify, and when asked, offer suggestions. Focus on building and nurturing a good solid relationship. If God allows a door of opportunity to open, then walk through with gratefulness and meekness.

God has put before us women to mentor within our own families – gracefully and lovingly use this wonderful opportunity with a heart focused on asking God to use you.

The Direction in Titus 2 for Grandmothers

Grandmothers who follow the direction in Titus 2 are personally involved in the life of the younger woman – in this case, the moms of their grandchildren. They share life with them, each benefiting and becoming more like Jesus Christ through the process.

We can attest to the fact that God has used our children, again and again, to mold us more into His image. Even though our children are adults, God is still using them to mold and shape us.

As godly grandmothers, we seek to live and lead with grace-filled spirits, godly behavior, holy living, and truthful and edifying words. We desire to be living examples of the Titus 2 woman.

Our faithful prayers for the moms of our grandchildren are filled with Scripture, being sensitive to the Holy Spirit’s direction. We treasure God’s Word always being ready to share the reason for the hope that we have. We desire that the moms of our grandchildren have a heart for God, a teachable spirit, a sure foundation in Christ, a love, desire, and knowledge of God’s Word, and availability to serve Him with whole heart, mind, soul, and spirit.

God can use you to make a difference by passing on your testimony of God’s faithfulness – your experience with Him throughout your life. What a privilege and honor to serve God in this way with those who are so very dear to us.

“So, being affectionately desirous of you, we were ready to share with you not only the gospel of God but also our own selves, because you had become very dear to us.” – 1 Thessalonians 2:8a

We strive to capture opportunities to share not only the good news of Jesus Christ but our very lives with the moms of our grandchildren. Be sensitive to moms who may not yet be ready to hear or embrace God’s Word. Just love them!

Practical Suggestions for You

As we think ahead to Mother’s Day, we want to challenge you to be creative in celebrating the moms of your grandchildren. This is a great time to draw attention to them.

“Mature women will cultivate love in another woman’s life because of the King’s presence in her life.” [Esther Burroughs A Garden Path of Mentoring] 

Here are some of our favorite ways to mentor and honor the moms of our grandchildren:

• Give the mother of your grandkids a ‘my favorite things’ bag with some of the things you love most. Examples – skin care products, a devotional or other book, etc. Find more great ideas to build your relationship with moms and grandkids in our Legacy Planner.
• Give a small gift along with a note or letter about what you appreciate about their mothering.
• Invite them to come to an event at church with you like Mother-Daughter Tea.
• Invite them over or out for a cup of tea or coffee so you can chat and get better acquainted.
• Make up a meal basket with all the ingredients needed. Focus on easy preparation yet delicious and nutritious. Tuck in a scripture verse. You can find lots of other basket ideas on Pinterest like a spa day or movie night.
• Offer a day of babysitting or a sleepover along with a coupon for a spa, manicure, or dinner. Choose something they would enjoy to pamper themselves.
• Keep in mind their love language – gifts, acts of service, words of affirmation, quality time, and physical touch. Utilizing their love language will help them feel loved.
• Help your grandkids make a gift for their mom.
• If you live nearby, have them over for a meal. If you cannot do this, consider sending a gift card for the family to eat out and give Mom the day off!

Of course, continue throughout the year to build a healthy relationship with the moms of your grandchildren. This relationship will allow more mentoring opportunities in the future.

Here are some of our favorite ideas to use throughout the year:

• Select a scripture passage to pray for each mom for a year – consider letting them know the verse(s).
• Learn to ask questions then listen and encourage – there are challenges and thrills to being a mom. Remember back to when you were raising children.
• Make a conscious choice to love – period! Think through what the loving thing is that you need to be, do, or say.
• Ask God to show you what He sees in the moms of your grandchildren. 
• Consistently cultivate God’s heart and mind toward them.

We realize not all the moms of your grandchildren may be open to having a healthy relationship with you today. Continue to pray and rely on God’s promises to carry you. God would like nothing more than to see relationships healed.

May God bless your Mother’s Day and may you be a blessing to the moms of your grandchildren!