Through life we gain experience and, with that experience, we hopefully gain wisdom as well. But sometimes, as younger women, we can feel lost when we come across a situation we don’t have as much experience in to help us through it. Other times, we may have questions about navigation through life and our relationships in it. 

I am extremely blessed to have women in my life that love the Lord and have gained life experience that I haven’t. I have people I can turn to ask questions about my walk with the Lord, the challenges I face, and to give me advice for my relationships, endeavors, and life choices. 

However, some young women can’t say that they have that wise input into their lives. 

So today I want to share the blessing with you all by having some of the wise women in my life give you some advice as well. Both my Grandmas (Isobel Cassells and Marilyn Cordle), as well as my mum (Caroline Cordle) will all be sharing their words of wisdom today. Their answers are all similar but different, yet united in their foundational love for the Lord and willingness to pass on their wisdom to the younger generation. 

I sincerely hope this blesses you!

Let’s jump right into it by asking…

Why is having a strong relationship with God so important to you?

Marilyn Cordle:

My relationship with God is so important because He is my Redeemer- I found a ransom! He is my Heavenly Father and I am His child- adopted into His family by saving grace. He loved me before the foundation of the world so much that He gave His only begotten Son to die for me, that I may live eternally! He made me, He chose me, has my name written on the palm of His hand, He forgives me, He keeps me, leads me, protects me, provides for me, and blesses me constantly and will take me to be with Him forever one day. 

God the Holy Spirit has quickened me, comforts me, and dwells within me to enliven me every day, constraining me in the things of God.

“For HIM, and through HIM, and to HIM, are all things: to whom be glory for ever. Amen” Romans 11:36 [Emphases her own]

Remember, according to the Catechism- “The chief end of men and women is to glorify God with ALL our being and live with Him forever” Jesus said- a new commandment-  that we love the Lord God with ALL our heart and our neighbour as ourselves.

So I need a close relationship with God on earth- that I may be prepared for meeting Him in glory. 

Isobel Cassells:

My relationship with the Lord is my life. To have the assurance that I am His chosen before the foundation of the world is humbling, and to know that He is faithful, not because we deserve it, but because what He says He will do is a reminder of His mercy.

Caroline Cordle:

My relationship with God is important because “for me to live is Christ” (Philippians 1:21). I cannot live my life for Him if I do not KNOW Him and then live like Him. Philippians is one of my favourite epistles, and chapter 3 speaks of that relationship with Jesus – all things being counted loss relative to knowing Him and founding everything upon the righteousness I have in Him. 

What helps you the most in staying close in your relationship with God?

Marilyn Cordle:

The thing that helps me most is communication with God constantly. Obviously not on knees physically praying all day, but having His spiritual presence with me in my life every day. Starting the day talking to God and closing it thanking and praising Him for His help through another day- whether I feel “up” on the mountaintop or “down” in the valley!

To be close with our earthly families, we need close fellowship and communication and this is the same with the Lord our God with Whom we shall live forever! 

If this doesn’t exist earthly-wise it is breakdown and division. If this doesn’t exist spiritually it is backsliding. 

So I claim the promises that He will bless me with if I obey His word and keep His commandments because I love Him. I must read His word prayerfully to hear His voice speak to me and know His will for my life day by day. I must confess my sin and unworthiness and do my best to serve my Saviour- relying on Him all the way to glory. 

Isobel Cassells:

What helps me stay close is knowing that He loves me more than I can possibly (humanly speaking) comprehend and remembering all that Jesus willingly endured to take my deserved place. We are also reminded that we are kept by His power.

Caroline Cordle:

Learning about the Lord through the reading of His Word and the fellowship I have with Him as I learn about Him. Time spent in prayer. Deepening my walk with Him by spending time with Him. When I have a deep understanding of my Saviour (who He is as God and who He is to me personally) how can I not desire to be close to Him and please Him? There is none like Him! 

Were there ever times where you struggled with your relationship with Christ? If not how did you avoid them and if so how did you overcome it? 

Marilyn Cordle:

Yes, of course! I am a sinner and our Great God cannot look on sin because He is holy. I forget the Lord when self has come up front through life’s pressures and responsibilities, disappointments, and heartaches, and I have neglected to take everything to the Lord in prayer, then the struggles come. 

Troubles can cause doubts, fears, and emptiness of the soul. The world, the flesh, and the devil have been allowed to cause the problem and we lose focus on our Saviour. 

But God has never left me for He has promised to never leave me or forsake me! 

Praise the Lord- the battle is His and He giveth His children victory in Him. 

To avoid such times, try not to be so preoccupied with “the here and now” that you forget who you are and what the Lord has done for you in giving His life that you may live! 

So I question myself, “Am I glorifying God? Am I being a good witness for my Lord?” 

I ask myself that if the Lord should suddenly return, would I be happy where He would find me? Am I with Christians? Doing honest things? Watching for His return? If I am not pleasing Him and am ashamed, then I need to get off the broad road and onto the narrow way.

It must be less of self and 100% of Him! 

Isobel Cassells:

The death of loved ones—who I could not be sure were believers—was very, very hard but I had to remind myself that God is in control and rest in the fact that all those who are His will be gathered in and that in all things He will have the preeminence.

Caroline Cordle:

I have to say that I have never questioned the sovereignty of God or His dealings in my life. My biggest struggles have been my own wanderings when I haven’t walked as closely with Him because I didn’t make enough time to spend with Him. I think the biggest way to overcome struggles of a spiritual nature is to trust God completely. Even when hard times come, if you trust God’s dealings in it all, your peace will remain. 

What are some easy mistakes in drifting away? And how can they be avoided?

Marilyn Cordle:

It’s possible some of my answers to your questions have already been covered but I have found that, to avoid drifting from the Lord, it’s like it would be with any earthly relationship. It’s important to be loving, looking, talking, and having company with God the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit. 

Consecrate your life and all your talents and time wholly 100%. Talk to the Lord and ask Him to show you His will every day and the blessing of the Lord will be rich in your life. 

But if you try to go your own way in your own limited ability, you will soon have no peace and much heartache. 

Isobel Cassells:

We drift away when we disobey His commandments and allow other things to dominate our lives (and therefore become idols). It is always disobedience that turns God’s people away from Him as we read time and time again in the scriptures. The Christian life is a disciplined life.

Caroline Cordle:

I would say that you drift away when other things become more important to you than the Lord. It can happen so subtly when you little by little let your time with God slip.   

How often do you read your Bible and pray?

Marilyn Cordle:

Every day. 

God’s word must be your manual, guidebook, and map for life, consulted with prayer, asking God to give you understanding as you read.

Every day, with prayer, supplication, and thanksgiving, pray—believing in faith, He is able. 

I read God’s Word and pray to Him every day. Sometimes it’s difficult if appointments, responsibilities, and unforeseen circumstances arise but this is my determination and should be for every woman seeking to live to God’s glory.

The Bible is my spiritual meat and drink and my soul needs feeding every day- just as my physical body does. Without it, the soul will suffer and faith will not grow and bear fruit. 

Remember, we are the branches of Christ who is the True Vine and Christ “prunes” and “purges” us that we may bring forth fruit. We must display that fruit in our lives and love God and others before self

And we can only do this as we trust in the Lord and ask for His help every day. 

I try to serve the Lord with gladness each day and rest in Him. 

Isobel Cassells:

I think the question should be, “how well do you know the God of the Bible?” It’s not just a question of reading the Bible but of understanding what we’re reading and learning the attributes of God. Memorising is good but an unconverted person can memorise whole passages of scripture and read the Bible and pray many times a day without a knowledge of and relationship with Him. We have to worship the God of the Bible and not the god of our own imaginations. As to how many times a day we pray – we cannot become like the Scribes and the Pharisees and become legalistic and pride ourselves in our ‘works’. We are told to pray in ‘the closet’ i.e. in private and not with a desire to be seen or known by man.

Caroline Cordle:

I try to read my Bible every day, but how that looks varies. I don’t ever want it to become something done out of duty, but a delight. If there are days that I don’t manage to read the scriptures it is often because I allow other things to take priority, but sometimes genuine busyness can happen (especially as a busy mother!) and I think we need to see these as “grace days”. I think that it is having the desire in your heart to read God’s word when you can, and to REALLY read it with meaning and depth, than exactly how often or how long you do it for. I’ve had some of the best times in God’s Word by just studying a few verses every day than I have trying to read lots of chapters every day out of some “challenge” of some kind.  

Thank you so much for your advice!

Unfortunately, that’s all we’re able to share for today, but do not fear: part two is coming very soon! 

If you like this interview style of article, please be sure to let us know. And likewise if you have any questions you’d like to ask our Wise Women (who knows, maybe we’ll convince some more people to be interviewees). 

A huge thank you to Marilyn, Isobel, and Caroline for taking the time to answer these questions!