Women Connect: Together's Better — Nicole Pineda

ponder

In the New Testament, Titus 2:3 (ESV) admonishes: "Older women likewise are to be reverent in behavior, not slanderous or slaves to much wine. They are to teach what is good and to train young women…"

The transfer of wealth with a different twist. While it is so valuable for those of us who are older to be available to teach the younger, it's also vital for us to remember WE NEED YOUNGER PEOPLE IN OUR LIVES! They have so much to offer. I appreciate ‭‭Psalm‬ ‭145‬:‭4 (ESV)‬:

One generation shall commend your works to another, and shall declare your mighty acts.

Back and forth.

Sharing life. The ups + downs. The celebrations. The sorrows. The highs + lows. The ordinary.

I have a fairly new friend who models this so well. I think you'll agree.

meet

For over a year, our son Andrew and his wife Sara told Wes + me about a couple they met at their Colorado Springs church. We heard a lot of wonderful things about Craig + Nicole, both mentors and friends to our kids. As parents, we couldn't have been happier.

After meeting Craig + Nicole, we immediately understood the special bond. Aside from both couples being into exercise and healthy eating, all four radiate God's love.

Backstory: Nicole, born in 1970, was raised by a single mom. She and her two younger brothers spent most of their lives in California. As a high school sophomore, Nicole was invited to a friend's youth group. She accepted the invitation…but more importantly accepted Jesus' invitation to come into her heart. Her life was set on a fresh trajectory, and she never looked back.

In her senior year, at the prom, she met Craig. (I need to ask her more about that sometime 😉). It seems it was meant to be, as they were married two years later. Craig, too, was a believer. Their marriage, through ups and downs, setbacks and victories, has been what Nicole calls "a journey of following Jesus."

The journey includes three daughters (and now two sons-in-law). Nicole homeschooled all three daughters. During this time she heard about Awana - a great opportunity for her daughters to learn more about Jesus and cultivate more friendships. Not only that, but having two hours a week to go to Target, or wherever, seemed heavenly.

Then one of her daughter's Awana class needed another volunteer. May I inject here…basically, Nicole is just a better woman than me…as this mother with three homeschoolers responded with "YES!" And her volunteering took off.

Whether in small groups or at her church's hospitality table, she found such joy in serving. Craig leads a men's small group where our son Andrew attends weekly. One evening some of the Bible Study men shared that their wives would love to be in a similar group with women - on a different night (because of childcare 🙂).

So last year, Nicole partnered with her daughter Sydni to launch a women's Bible study. Not knowing what to expect - when they opened the doors, around 15 women showed up!

Nicole told me having these young women invite her into their lives is both humbling and an honor. Meeting weekly they have formed such a tight-knit group. Nicole said Sara was the first to sign up. (Didn't surprise me 🙂).

While I was in Colorado last month, Sara invited me to join the women's group. Walking into Craig + Nicole's gorgeous home that Thursday evening, I could sense the spirit of our Lord. The women poured in. The love they had for one another and Jesus was palpable.

We gathered around the kitchen island for delicious homemade scones (thanks to Sydni!) and tea. Then in their downstairs family room, their daughter Carli led in a sacred time of worship. Sydni took the lead in sharing Scripture, and Nicole flowed so beautifully with her daughters and the other women in praying for whatever needs were brought up. There were plenty of tears and Kleenex, as women of different ages were touched by our loving Father.

I was completely mesmerized. I didn't look at it as an "intergenerational" gathering. It just was. Women loving, praying and caring for each other. I am so grateful for all the "Craigs + Nicoles" out there who invest regularly in younger generations - such a vital part of the Body of Christ.

And I'm grateful for Andrew + Sara, other young couples and single adults - who know they are better doing life with someone who might be a tad older (or a lot older 😉). These relationships matter!

With trips to the zoo, shopping, hiking, coffee, vacationing and studying God's precious Word together - Craig, Nicole, Andrew, Sara and their families have forged beautiful friendships. Our grandkids, Bailey and Cruz, have gained extra "Aunties + Uncles" who are there to cheer them on. Literally, at marathons…and more importantly in life!

Perhaps the Lord is leading you to invest in someone? That friendship could be life-giving, with eternal value. Please, let's have open hearts as Nicole says this prayer over us.

thankful

Wes + I went to see The Forge last week. (Interestingly, Craig's weekly Bible Study has been called The Forge since it launched a couple of years ago.)

It happens to fit perfectly with today's women connect. No spoiler alert…just a must see.

heart

Perhaps the Lord will lay on your heart someone you can disciple. Chances are really good there's a younger person out there who would benefit greatly from a friendship with you. And if you want to give them a Bible, we can send one to you. No charge.

judy popineau wick