November 8, 2025
Jaselle has been giving me tips on lipstick. I don’t ever seem to find the right shade, while hers is always spot on. (She can wear deep red like nobody’s business.) We recently talked about my struggle. I confessed that I have a hard time staying in the lines; she does not. She leaned her head to one side, giving me a sympathetic look.
Sophia has been schooling me on mascara. Her lashes are incredibly lush. She uses a crimper; I do not. (Bad crimper experience in the 90s.) Sophia uses two kinds of mascara. I use only one that sometimes ends up all over the place. (I made notes of her favorite brands.)
Jaselle is nine. Sophia is 12. Makeup aside, there is a lot to learn from other, even younger generations.
Before Boomers, there were the Greatest Generation and the Silent Generation. After Boomers came Generation X, Millennials, and then Generation Z. Each gen has had their own heartaches and advantages; their own strengths and weaknesses. Each one is valuable to God and serves an important purpose.
Technology can be a struggle for Baby Boomers. (Go ahead and gloat if you excel at technology.) When a tech problem arises at work, I am not too proud to call out to a Millennial for help.
Millennials have grown up with technology, while I date back to landlines, party lines, and non-electric typewriters. I need their help with electronics, phones, and computers. My daughter-in-law once told me, “Don’t ever underestimate a millennial!” And so, I won’t.
All through the Bible, God used people of every age. The Christmas story features an elderly and pregnant Elizabeth, along with a teenaged Mary. It tells of an old priest named Zechariah and the much younger Joseph who became Jesus’ earthly father.
I used to be young like Mary. These days, I have more in common with Elizabeth – minus the pregnancy, may the Lord’s Name be praised. Titus 2:3-5 gives insight into what my role is now. Paul wrote for the older women to teach what is good, to train the younger women to love their husbands and children, to be self-controlled, kind, and other important things.
The Life Application Study Bible comments, “If you are of an age or position where people look up to you, make sure that your example is motivating younger believers in a way that honors God.”
We are all influencers. Are we using our influence to honor God? We may not have thousands of followers, but perhaps we do. We may only be influencing one. That one is precious to God.
I learned a great lesson from a 75-year-old last spring. Serving with Samaritan’s Purse, we worked with a lady named Miss Linda who had been married for over 50 years. During a short break, I asked her what she would tell someone who is just getting married. I won’t soon forget what she said.
“It’s not a vow you make to the person you are marrying; it’s a vow you are making to God.”
She went on: “The Bible doesn’t say anything about feelings. The Bible says to love your neighbor as yourself, and who is your neighbor, your closest neighbor?” (I was thinking about the Haywoods who live next door.) She suddenly announced, “Your spouse! That’s your closest neighbor!” She was right.
“The older women can urge the younger women to love their husbands…” I used to glaze over that verse. Now that I AM an older woman, I get it. That’s what I want to do in this season of my life – like Miss Linda.
No matter our age, we all have a purpose. The young ones can help me with makeup and technology, and I can point them to Jesus.
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Dawn Reed is a pastor's wife, newspaper columnist, and the author of Weiner Stew: Inspiring Stories from Appalachia. She has just published a Christmas book called A Heart Full of Christmas. Reach her at preacherswife7@yahoo.com.
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