The realization you ARE the “older woman”

I’m just wondering how it slipped by me that I am officially an “older woman”. I mean seriously I did not know this until I was at the Beth Moore simulcast on Saturday (which was really awesome) and at one point she had groups of people standing for prayer. She invited all the “older women” to stand to be prayed over. For them to have clarity of mind. To invest in younger women. I figured I would be in the next category of “younger women” when I started to look around, oh but no. She explained that all the women 40 years and older should stand. So I stood. And my younger friend sitting down in all her cute youthfulness looked at me and mouthed the words with sheer evil in her eyes “OLDER WOMAN”. I about slapped her because this was a true coming out moment for me. I have truly considered myself the “Younger Woman” in need of many mentors pouring into me.  So there I stand with all the “older women” realizing that God is calling me to step it up in my willingness to own my age and the value it has especially in mentoring younger women. I can no longer view myself as just one of the young crew who soaks up but doesn’t pour into others. Don’t get me wrong. I’m not bashing myself. I do pour into other people as God enables me and gives me opportunities. But it’s like he has now stamped it in cement for me. I have more of an ownership in my leadership. I can’t really explain it. I’ve always been a little “behind the times” – ahem, hence learning I’m an older woman at the age of 43. This doesn’t mean I have to act all old womanish – like my current voicemail suggests. (Yeah, my seven year old has left a message in the all time best old lady voice saying, “This is Melody and I’m turning 43 today and I really don’t talk like an old lady.”  And that’s better than the first one she recorded which said, “This is Melody. I’m turning 43 and I’m an old woman today so please give me my present before tomorrow because I might die I’m so old.” Oh my word! ) I’m still going to wear funky clothes, embrace my tattoo and dance like nobody’s watching, when nobody’s watching, and play practical jokes on people. But I’m viewing my life differently and asking God to give me the strength to be the older woman he wants me to be.

Meet my Mom – she’s an amazing older woman. She came up for my birthday and we had a great time together. I’m so fortunate to have a godly Mother. And a silly Mom. Love her so much.

Okay, so how about you? When did you realize you weren’t a teenager anymore? And please don’t say when you turned 20. Because I’d feel so foolish.