By an act of faith, Abraham said yes to God’s call to travel to an unknown place that would become his home. When he left he had no idea where he was going. By an act of faith he lived in the country promised him, lived as a stranger camping in tents. Isaac and Jacob did the same, living under the same promise. Abraham did it by keeping his eye on an unseen city with real, eternal foundations—the City designed and built by God. Hebrews 11:8-10 (The Message)
This week, at the dinner table, we had a discussion about how toenails and hair continue to grow even after a person dies. I do not know if that is true, but it certainly made interesting dinner conversation. I think of it now because it is an encouragement to me to know that my hair will continue to grow. Because this week, I got a disastrous haircut that will take me a least a year to get over. My fifth grade teacher repeated over and over again all year long, “A word to the wise is sufficient.” Obviously, that was lost on me then, and now, because what I did this week, I have done before and vowed that I would not do it again. It was a long, trying week. I put many, many hours into preparing for a big change at work. I multitasked to the max, learned to delegate and set some things aside to do later. This project was important and had a very urgent deadline. Despite my best efforts, towards the end of the week, things started to slide out of my control. And I was disappointed. On my way to a haircut appointment one evening, my mind churned with all the frustration at work and spit out the feeling that I needed a change. I debated a different haircut or a tattoo. Some sensible part of me urged the haircut. Armed with a picture of a pert young blond on the back of a CD cover, I strolled into the hair salon and said, “Let’s do something different.” When my hairdresser gently reminded me that I might not like the change, I bravely said, “Oh, it will be okay. It will grow out.” Famous last words. I knew as soon as she made the first cut, I had made a mistake, but put on a smile and pretended all was well. The musician on the cover of that CD is young and pretty and straight haired. My brownish grey hair has a stubborn wave to it. Now, instead of sleekly framing my face, my hair stands out at odd angles. I have been avoiding mirrors, but even my shadow shows a clown like outline. Yes, it will grow out, but in the meantime, my appearance is going to look rough. No hair dryer or curling iron can fix this mess. Only time. I heard a great song on the radio this week that reminded me that this world is not my home. The trials and tribulations I face and that you face are only temporary. We have something greater ahead. Only time separates us from it. While here, projects will not go as we planned, doctor’s tests will not be what we hoped. We will fail, we will hurt, we will be frustrated and sad, hungry and tired. Our faith will be tested. We will cry and wail at God. But, someday, all of that will go away. While our hair and toenails may continue to grow after death, we will be in a far better place. In the meantime, we continue to put one foot in front of the other, letting Jesus carry us when we cannot. And keep our face turned towards our heavenly home.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=usAwtKwICzs&feature=related
Where I Belong by Building 429
Sometimes it feels like I’m watching from the outside
Sometimes it feels like I’m breathing but am I alive
I won’t keep searching for answers that aren’t here to find
All I know is I’m not home yet
This is not where I belong
Take this world and give me Jesus
This is not where I belong
So when the walls come falling down on me
And when I’m lost in the current of a raging sea
I have this blessed assurance holding me.
All I know is I’m not home yet
This is not where I belong
Take this world and give me Jesus
This is not where I belong
When the earth shakes I wanna be found in You
When the lights fade I wanna be found in You
All I know is I’m not home yet
This is not where I belong
Take this world and give me Jesus
This is not where I belong
Where I belong, where I belong
Where I belong, where I belong
Whenever I get a bad haircut (and it happens more often than I'd like), I always tell myself that somewhere out there is someone with worse hair than me. Or no hair. They must do something with their hair to make it presentable, so I just try my best and let time take care of the rest.
You should have gotten the tattoo? Now I want to see it. It can't be that bad. some of us have permanent giant cowlicks that can never be hidden, trimmed, grown out. It's hair. xoxo
With or without weird hair you a beautiful! That's my opinion and I'm sticking to it!