Some of you know this about me and some of you don’t: I am the only female in my household (except for the hamster – stay strong, sister). Seeing as how God decided to bless me with only male children, I think about this question a lot: If they only remember ONE THING I teach them about how to treat women, what would I want that one thing to be?

As with everything, I find the Bible typically has the best answers, but I still went to Google first. There I found a lot of different ideas that, honestly, left my head spinning. Then, when I was in reading in 1 Timothy, BINGO! God for the win, again. Check out Paul’s advice to Timothy, a young man he was mentoring:

Treat the older women as you would your mother and treat the younger women with all purity as your own sisters.

1 Timothy 5:2 NLT 1998

Is that seriously not the most perfect way to explain it?! He’s taken it out of the abstract and offered a practical perspective on how to cherish the women around them. Even my boys, who are not blessed with biological sisters, have cousins, neighbors and classmates who are like sisters that they can reference. And – for those boys who aren’t close to their mother – there are grandmothers, aunts, neighbors and teachers who can represent that role.

It’s an idea that is uncomplicated and practical – and the perfect truth to point my boys to as they grow into navigating the complexities of friendships, dating, marriage and more.

What do you think?

• If you are a woman reading this: If the men/boys in your life were to apply Paul’s words to their relationship with you, what might change in those relationships?
• If you are a man reading this: If you were to apply Paul’s words to the women/girls in your life, how might that change those relationships?

Drop your answer below in the comments section or email me privately at Emily@messyworship.com. (I’m not just saying this – I really, really do want to hear your thoughts!!!)

Prayer: Dear Lord, thank you for giving us relationships AND thank you for giving us simple, uncomplicated ways to keep those relationships healthy. Help us all – regardless of gender – to stay focused on loving each other the way you love us: with humility, grace and truth. Amen.

Photo by Allen Taylor on Unsplash