Loving the Woman I Am Today: Embracing Every Stage of Womanhood

There’s a beautiful journey that comes with embracing womanhood in all its phases—a journey that has taken me from self-doubt and body shame to self-love and gratitude. Growing gracefully has meant learning to love myself, not only for how I look, but for who I am within. For years, I was wrapped up in appearance, chasing a standard that felt like an ever-moving target. I was a prisoner of my own self-criticism, held back by body shame and insecurity over things I couldn’t control—like my genetics and the way my body developed. But that all began to change the moment I truly felt the love of God settle upon me. In that light, I realized something profound: I am enough, just as I am.

It’s natural for our bodies to change as we grow older. They sag, wrinkle, and eventually slow down. And while the world may tell us to fight these changes with every tool available, I find comfort in remembering a line I heard at my grandmother’s funeral: “These are only houses we rent while on earth.” Hearing the pastor say that struck something deep within me. This body of mine? It’s a rental, a temporary home. One day, I’ll leave it behind as I step into eternity with my Father. That truth frees me from the pressure to cling desperately to youth or to resent my body for aging.

Instead, I’m choosing to focus on how I care for this "rental" house. Rather than fixating on my waistline or counting each new wrinkle, I’m investing in what lies within. I want a heart and spirit that radiate love, joy, and kindness because I know that a beautiful interior shines outward. Each day, I aim to nourish myself—mind, body, and soul—so that I can grow healthier in all the ways that matter most: physically, emotionally, mentally, and, above all, spiritually.

Our culture places so much emphasis on perfection, on anti-aging, on staying youthful forever. But the deeper I go into my walk with God, the more I realize that the worldly ideals of “perfection” are hollow. No sugary fillers, no artificial solutions, no quick fixes can bring me closer to God. In fact, filling my life with things that numb or disguise who I am only distances me from the true peace He offers. I don’t want to live a life diluted by empty promises. I want to live fully, honestly, and healthily.

So here I am today, loving the woman I’ve become—not just in spite of the years but because of them. Every line on my face tells a story. Every scar is a reminder of a battle won. And every day, when I wake up and see a new day that God has given me, I feel immense gratitude. I no longer view my body as something that needs to be perfected or hidden. Instead, I see it as a gift I’m responsible for—one that I will care for and nourish, not for vanity, but to honor the life I’ve been blessed with.

If there’s one message I could share with my younger self or with any woman struggling with her reflection, it’s this: You are enough, just as you are. Grow gracefully, nourish your heart, and know that you’re already beautiful beyond measure. Let us all rejoice each day for the breath in our lungs and the chance to make a difference, to make Him proud, and to continue becoming the women we’re meant to be.