Lemon Meringue Pie

But speak thou the things which become sound doctrine: that the aged men be sober, grave, temperate, sound in faith, in charity, in patience. The aged women likewise, that they be in behaviour as becometh holiness, not false accusers, not given to much wine, teachers of good things; that they may teach the young women to be sober, to love their husbands, to love their children. —Titus 2:1–4, KJV

On the Monday after Mother’s Day, the companies located in our office building decided to have a barbecue. The potato salad, along with everything else, was very tasty! One of my coworkers decided to get a slice of lemon meringue pie for dessert.

She cut a very small sliver of pie and took small bites.

I mentioned that I do not particularly like the meringue, but I love the lemon. (Lemon meringue happened to be my mother’s favorite pie.) My colleague responded that she had never had lemon meringue pie before! Shocked, I exclaimed, “What? ” Then, the remaining two coworkers seated at our table said the same thing. They had never tasted lemon meringue pie! I was speechless for a minute, and then a dose of reality hit me! I said, “Oh, yes, you are only in your twenties.” They responded with, “Yes, we have a lot to learn!” I then realized how my seventy years of life experiences could influence the young women I associate with either positively or negatively. And I do have the responsibility, as a Christian, to ensure that my life tells them a story that is both loving and redemptive. In my role as a supervisor, I often share my knowledge and expertise regarding processes, policies, and procedures. I asked myself, When an ex-employee emailed me with some unkind, unrepeatable words, was my reaction acceptable to my onlookers? When my coworker was in tears, had I looked the other way? Does it matter when we share what we did over the weekend? The goal and responsibility of a Titus 2 woman is to train younger women in biblical, measurable, Spirit-empowered, love-based living.

I never thought that lemon meringue pie would open my eyes to the measure of influence my life as a Christian has on everyone I meet.

I pray that both you and I will continue to be the kind of examples that lead others to the Jesus who loves us all.

Sylvia A. Franklin