Older Woman

I am an older woman.

By virtue of common sense, that means the world is full of people younger than me. It’s something I take seriously.

It can be intimidating working among the generation whose answer to my every computer question is, “Did you Google it?” And there are times where my inability to Snapchat makes me wonder about my relevance. But is that really what those junior-in-age want from me?

I think not.

I recall an opportunity a friend and I had a couple of years ago to speak on sexuality to a room filled with numerous pregnant or nursing mothers. Maybe I thought the prevalence of information available to this generation would make the stories of two middle aged+ women boring. 

Not so. Younger women are asking questions that sound much like the ones I had at their stage. And, they are just as hungry for input and support.

Women long for meaningful connection. Period. It looks different based on personality and other factors but the essence is the same. Who can I share my heart with? Who can I entrust with my fears, hopes and dreams? Who has gone before me and can reassure me that God is faithful and that I’m not alone? Who is willing to normalize my struggles and desires?

God’s directive for older women to be teachers of good, training younger women to love their husbands and children, is no less important than it was 30 years ago.

Perhaps in this world of instant connection, constant superficial communication and sensory overload, good old-fashioned face-to-face, heart-to-heart talks are more valuable than ever.

I have found this to be true in my own life.
​
With love and gratitude,
Shelaine