There are young beautiful women everywhere I look. I admire their style and courage as they walk out their personal identities. For some, what they identify with foremost is their youthfulness. It is easy to see how they feel empowered by smooth, wrinkle free skin, but truth be told, they are already being impacted by what society is subliminally messaging them.
Even as they are being targeted because of their age, they are also being told that their youth won't last. Culture is pressing these young women to make decisions based on what it has defined as a brief window. It is encouraging them to make choices that bring a quick fix, without regard for the long term consequences.
These women need something from mothers, grandmothers, aunts, and women who they encounter on the street. These beautiful young women need to see older women who are aging well. Women who are full of expectation, joy, confident in where they are in life, and who are willing to share their perspectives on getting older. Women who are happy to guide them, demonstrating that getting older does not have to be scary, but it can be fun!
Young women don't want to live through older women, or gage their lives by their experiences, but they do need to see women who have done what they set out to do.
Regardless of the bumpy terrain, young women need to see hope, faith, and resiliency all over us. We need to live counter to what popular culture defines as beautiful, and show young women the value and wisdom we live out in attitude and character.
When I read in a magazine a description of an architect’s works as being beautifully simple, with materials that weather, age, and patina well, I am encouraged. I am encouraged because I have a heavenly Father that sings and dances over me, even as my days march on, and my patina softens to resemble His stunning beauty.
Proverbs 3:15-18 She is more precious than rubies; nothing you desire can compare with her. Long life is in her right hand; in her left hand are riches and honor. Her ways are pleasant ways, and all her paths are peace. She is a tree of life to those who take hold of her; those who hold fast will be blessed.