Daily Devotional

As a young adult, walking into a church for the first time, I felt intimidated. Up to that point, I worked hard at being invisible to people—always quiet and very much in the background. As a new believer, how was I to grow to be a godly woman who encouraged other women, especially since I grew up devoid of a godly mother’s influence.

I was struck by the challenge in this text to be “reverent”—a word that means to be “priestly”—so much so as to be attractive to younger women who would be drawn to me for encouragement and counsel. The ultimate goal was not to draw attention to myself but to bring honor to the word of God. How could I, a painfully shy and invisible woman, ever accomplish such a lofty goal?

My Heavenly Father sent Margie, an older, “priestly” woman to my rescue. She saw my efforts to hide from others and decided that would not do. Like a mama chicken sheltering her young, she took me under her wing. She was a lovely, godly woman who was adorned with grace and kindness. Through God’s guidance she patiently drew me into deep conversations and helped me to not be afraid of being visible—and vulnerable—to others. Practical training also was included. Margie taught me how to buy clothes that fit me well and complimented my skin color. A lesson on applying makeup followed. She also taught me how to have fun—another very attractive feature. Miserable and grumpy older women are not much use to younger women.

One day, she took me out to a lunch, which consisted of nothing but a giant banana split. She insisted it was a real meal with all the basic food groups included in one delightful treat. Dairy in the ice cream and whipped cream, protein in the nuts, and, of course, fruit. I think the vegetables were in there somewhere! We laughed together and enjoyed every morsel.

Over the next few years, Margie filled in the holes that were missing a mother’s influence. I was becoming more visible and, to my surprise, more attractive to other women who would seek my counsel and “mothering.” I am now an older woman—hopefully “teaching what is good” and encouraging young women “so that the word of God will not be dishonored.” I am, by God’s grace, “a mother to many.” What a joy to take out a younger woman and celebrate the goodness of God—even with a banana split, although I won’t insist it is as healthy as Margie insisted. Then again, it certainly can be health food for the soul as we both learn how to become more “reverent, priestly, and attractive” to the next generation of younger women.

New American Standard Bible®, Copyright © 1960, 1971, 1977, 1995 by The Lockman Foundation. All rights reserved.