“Let No One Look Down on your Youthfulness”

This past week, I had the privilege of filling out a questionnaire that is going to be used in the future as a featured article on a friend’s blog. The two of us grew up on the same street and although she was a few years younger than me, I had a fond affection for all the members of her family. Their parents were solid Christians and I truly admired how they raised their kids and what giving and caring people they were.  When our family moved to the town that we have lived in for the past 20 plus years, she was the first person that reached out to me and welcomed me and my family into our new community. As I worked on my questionnaire, which was titled “Dreams Coming True…” I thought about my friend and how so many of her dreams have come true over the past few years. Watching her pursue her dreams and experience her success has brought joy to my heart.
Two or three years seems to make such a big difference when you are in elementary school and high school. I always felt so much older and more mature than her since it was actually her brother who was one of my closest friends in high school. He also became one of my husband’s dearest friends during our college and post college years and was one of my husband’s groomsmen in our wedding. So the transition from “younger sister” of one of my closest guy friends, to her becoming my peer and my true and faithful friend of the heart has been a blessing to me. As I think about how this transition happened so effortlessly, I am reminded of one of my favorite passages in the bible. One I use as a challenge to many of the gals I mentor who are younger than me.

Paul in his first letter to Timothy was writing to encourage Timothy as he co-labored to spread the gospel and pastor a church in Ephesus. Paul and Timothy had a deep abiding friendship and Paul took every opportunity to mentor and train and encourage Timothy while they worked together to help build the early Christian Church. In the 4th chapter, Paul exhorts Timothy to stay strong in his faith and fight the good fight when opposition comes. He encourages him to “fix his hope on the living God”, and warns Timothy to “Let no one look down on your youthfulness, but rather in speech, conduct, love, faith and purity, show yourself an example of those who believe.” 1 Timothy 4:12
Although, I never formally mentored this precious friend, she definitely lived out this bible verse in her life.
As I lead my daughters in an effort to see our “Dreams come True” our roles are now reversed. She is the one leading me and I am grateful that she is willing to encourage me in pursuing my dreams.
(I will keep you all informed when the article posts on her blog.)

Who has encouraged you to pursue your dreams and to “let no one look down on your youthfulness”?