Female, Woman, Lady...

I wish I could take credit for the topic of this post, but I can't. This post is my interpretation of a Word that an awesome woman spoke into my life at a women's service I attended last week. I'm not sure if she will ever read my blog, but this message not only stuck in the forefront of my mind, but it changed my life. So, just in case you do read it, thank you Apostle Sharon Ruff.

Are you a female, a woman or a lady?

I bet you had no idea that there was a difference, because I know that I didn't.

I thought about this, and thought and thought and thought some more, and realized that I am all three at one time. 

Let me explain...

1 Corinthians 13:11

"When I was a child, I talked like a child,

I thought like a child,

I reasoned like a child.

When I became a man,

I put the ways of childhood behind me." (NIV)

A female describes gender, yes, but it also describes a mindset. They can be young in age, but they also have a young mindset which makes them immature. A female is basically a girl, a teenager. She doesn't know anything, and that makes her actions dangerous for her. She hasn't been anywhere, and hasn't done anything, which means she hasn't learned anything. The female is young, full of energy and eager, but needs a mentor that has patience to teach her and help her along the way, or she will make considerable mistakes along the way.

A woman is a slightly more mature version of a female. Women think that, because they have lived their lives and learned a few things, they are entitled to things and know everything. She has learned some lessons, yes, but she still has a few more to learn. Women are set in their ways; they think they are everything they want to be and don't think that they can grow anymore. Women don't think they need other people and feel that helping others isn't there business. 

A lady is fully matured. She knows that she can say, do and go wherever she wants, but she doesn't have to. She is comfortable in her own skin and doesn't have to lie to herself or anyone else. She walks with confidence and grace. When she speaks you can tell that she's sure of herself and the words that she speaks. She doesn't try to impress, but she is impressive none the less. A lady knows that very few things in life are given and are earned through hard work and perseverance. She knows that as long as she continues to live, she will continue to grow. Ladies know that, since they have lived and learned, that they have a responsibility to help the females and ladies that they come in contact with to become everything that they are destined to be.

I've always loved the word "lady". It just puts me in the mind of someone sophisticated and demure.

I personally believe that you can be more than one at any given time. Like me. I am more woman than female, but not quite up to lady; but I'm close. I may be female in some aspects of my life, woman in others, and lady in a few. I'm lady enough to know that everything doesn't have to be a fight, and everything doesn't have to go my way. I can talk instead of yell and speak to be understood, not just to be heard. 

My point is, sometimes you have to step outside of yourself, look back at yourself and see yourself as you are. Being a wife doesn't make you a lady; you can get married and not know a doggone thing. Its part of your process to know when its time to grow up.

It's okay if you are still a female; that's where you start the journey! The first step in the process of growth is knowing where you are. The second step is knowing that you want to change FOR YOU. When you grow as a person the process is extremely personal and time consuming; it doesn't happen overnight. The process of self-evolution will not be a success if you are doing it for others. it has to be your choice and you have to do it for you.

So which one are you, or do you know? Are you a female in some areas? Woman? Lady? Help us help ourselves and share.

The thing is, you have to keep moving and never stop evolving.  We have to learn how to put the childish behavior to bed and start growing up. Life gets easier when you live it and not fight it.There are so many different aspects of our lives to grow in.

 It's about time to find out...