Does our “anti-aging” mentality betray other women?

Rachel usually blogs about restaurant-worthy recipes at Stay At Home Chef, but occasionally she takes a break from that to share her story of living with Addison’s disease, an auto-immune condition which means she has a shortened life expectancy. After suffering severe health complications while pregnant with her second child and ending up in the ICU, she was finally diagnosed and, miraculously, both she and her daughter survived.

So when someone left a comment on her blog that she should really dye her graying hair, she had a lot to say about it. She posted the video below in response to explain, saying: “Every sign of aging that I have is a sign that I’m still alive. A lot of people don’t get the privilege to ever live to be old and I probably won’t either, which means I don’t have time to waste criticizing myself.” She goes on to encourage all women to embrace their bodies the way that God made them and to encourage men to love women the way they are, as well.

As important as her message is for women who might be going through graying hair and other signs of aging, make no mistake — as a young woman, I need her message, too. As a young woman in the 21st century, it’s easy to feel as if time is running out, constantly, and I need to know that this life I’m entering is not something to fear.

When Rachel looked at her graying hair, she didn’t see time running out. She didn’t see another expectation she needed to meet. She saw a gift. She saw a reason to praise God and give Him thanks.

As young women face all the pressures that being a woman comes with, we need women who are not afraid to embrace their bodies, their graying hair, their stretch marks. We need to see that, so we can learn to do the same and so we don’t miss these opportunities to thank God for the gifts of life.

You can watch Rachel’s inspiring video (for women of all ages) below.