EVERYDAY PRAYERS FOR JOY
If you would have told me a couple of years ago that I would write a book in my empty nest years, I would not have believed you! I am almost 62 years old! I am not who I’d imagined I’d be at this age! I do not have it all together, I am not the “model” Titus 2 woman or mentor. I do not sit peacefully, sipping tea and scattering my wisdom all over the place.
God is still growing me up, teaching me to find rest, peace, and JOY in Him. I am more aware than ever before of how needful of Him I am and that if anything good is seen in my life, it’s because He is there. If there is anything good seen in my family, it’s because of a work He has done.
The fact that Everyday Prayers for Joy exists is evidence that God uses the most unlikely and imperfect vessels to point others to himself and that we are never too old for Him to plop amazing opportunities in our laps!
I’d love it if you would check out “Everyday Prayers for Joy”! I will never stop being amazed and overwhelmed that God gave me an opportunity to write this book!
MEET GINA
Hi! I’m Gina Smith. I am a wife, mom, grandma, Women’s discipleship leader, Writer, and Author. My husband and I have been married for 37 years and we raised 2 children who are now married and have children of their own! We love being available to them as they are raising their families.
I love coming alongside those who are coming behind me, to help them find strength in God (1 Samuel 23:16), to proclaim God’s faithfulness (Psalms 89:1), to encourage one another (1 Thessalonians 5:11), to help each other persevere, one day at a time, and find biblical joy (Hebrews 12:2), and to learn from each other (1 Corinthians 11:1)! (READ MORE…)
JOIN ME ON INSTAGRAM
When I was younger there were a couple of things I vowed to do, if God allowed me to:
1. I remember longing for women who were older than me to be available and to disciple me but, more often than not, the older women around me were too busy or unavailable. Discipleship was almost nonexistent. I vowed to be available to those younger than I am when I got older. I’d make the time.
2. While I was raising my children, I was alone much of the time. Grandparents were long distance. I had no help in daily life and community was scarce. I vowed to be available to my kids when they had their own families, even if it meant I drove to them or got on an airplane, I’d do it if they wanted my help.
Now that I am in my 60’s, I understand a little more clearly why older women didn’t have time and why grandparents wanted us to come to them. I am tired and my knees hurt and I don’t have the capacity to do what I did when I was younger. BUT I am still working to be available as much as I can, not because I am so amazing, but because God has given me a clear calling as an older woman and I want to answer that calling.
I believe that my sovereign God allowed me to be alone much of the time because he was growing in me a calling that he didn’t want me to neglect or forget. I view social media as just another way that I am able to answer the calling that God has given me. It is a way for me to point others to God and His faithfulness. I’d like to invite you for a virtual cup of coffee and some good conversation — on instagram!
A BEAUTIFUL SEASON!
My husband and I are members of a vibrant church filled with mostly younger people: Newlyweds beginning their lives together, young couples expecting their first child, parents of sweet babies and busy toddlers, a couple of middle aged parents of teens, and young people learning how to become church leaders. I remember being in each of these seasons of life and the people that God used to come alongside us — people who were a few steps ahead, who understood what it was like, gave us hope, encouraged us to persevere, and reminded us that God is faithful. They prayed with us, babysat for us, brought us meals, allowed us to sit at their tables for dinner, trusted us to lead their youth group, live life with their college students, and serve as church leaders. They counseled us when we had teenagers, celebrated with and comforted us when our children got married. God provided specific people to help us walk through each season we have been through.
Now it’s our turn.
We are the ones who are a few steps ahead, who understand what it’s like. We are the ones to offer hope, to encourage those younger to persevere, to remind them that God is faithful. We all get our turn to experience the different seasons of life. I’ve had the privilege of living through several of these seasons. Now it’s my turn to live this season. It’s my turn to proclaim God’s faithfulness!
Writing is just another platform for me to proclaim the faithfulness of God! God has been faithful in the past. He is faithful in the present—-and continues to teach me so much! And He will be faithful in the future! I pray you will find some encouragement here!
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