The OWC

Do you get a little inward shudder when you read the words, "older women?" I never thought I would, but I do.

From my teen years well into my thirties I always wanted to look older. When I was a mother with 4 small children, people often thought I was their babysitter. I guess I should have taken this as a compliment but I didn't. I wanted to appear appropriately mature for the role and responsibilities that were mine. The last thing I wanted was to look like a teenager!!

I've learned that I must be careful what I wish for! My hair began greying in my early forties and now I am completely grey (or silver, as one son describes it: a silver crown).

It is time for me to recognize I have joined the OWC (Older Women Club). I do not mind "looking" old. What makes me drop to my knees is the attending responsibilities of membership in this time honored society of seasoned womanhood (but more on that in future posts). For now I want to ask you how you feel about the OWC?

Are you frightened by the thought of belonging to, or someday becoming a member of the OWC? If so, what do you fear?

Might it be the loss of youthful beauty: skin tone, muscle tone, loss of hair color? I find it interesting that where hair pigmentation is lost, skin color deepens, as spots appear and veins show through (the same son who told me I have a silver crown also affectionately said my hands look like raw turkey skin). I also am finding that hair thins where there should be hair, and it grows where it shouldn't!!

Might it be physical weakness or forgetfulness, or a host of age related infirmities? I can put a check mark by each of these.

Might it be the sense of loneliness that can come with aging, as the house is quieter and cleaner and you face empty nesting and the likelihood of becoming widowed.

Might it be a fear of feeling useless?

Might it be a fear of financial insecurity?

Might it be a fear of dying? not death itself, but the process of our "outer nature wasting away" (2 Cor. 4:16).

My dear sisters in Christ, we need not fear. The same God who led Sarah on a journey into the unknown with Abraham, and provided for Naomi in her old age and blessed elderly Anna for her service in the temple, is the same God we serve. These women were not very much different than we are. They were tempted to fear just as we are. Surely Sarah worried about giving birth in her 90s, and surely the widows in the early church wondered where their next meal was coming from. But God was with them and God provided for them.

Proverbs 31:25b tells us that the woman who fears the Lord, "laughs at the time to come." How can older women laugh at the time to come? It is by having a rock solid understanding of God's sovereign and personal care of us (Isaiah 43:1-3b). It is in reminding ourselves of all what Christ accomplished for us on the cross (He who did not spare His own Son, how will he not freely give us all things? [Romans 8:32]). And after that, by living according to His purpose for us. It is in the humble faith-filled living out of Proverbs 31, Titus 2, 1 Timothy 5, 1 Peter 3, Matthew, Mark, Luke and John through Revelation, we are promised the presence, protection and provision of God.

This is where we will find eternal meaning and a present fulfillment for our lives as older women.

Will you join the OWC? or at least learn what it is about? I feel humbled and honored that God would call me to join the ranks with charter members such as Sarah, Naomi, Anna, Eunice, Lois and the godly women still alive who are faithfully and humbly keeping their membership active. I hope you do as well.

Next week: membership age requirements!!