I got my haircut. Several inches. Now, as most of you know, I have been growing my hair out for many months. But, while at Ulta the other day, had a wild urge to cut it. (I think I need a friend here to step up and say they'll be my dial a friend in moments like these!)
In my defense, it had been a really hard week. I had some oral surgery done on August 27th. And I was in some major pain....and the pain meds sent me into a downward spiral of depression. (Thank you Lord that I am done with those!) Whilst in Ulta, I remembered how getting my hair cut as a teenager would always make me feel better...hence, the quick decision to have someone unknown cut my hair.
Now typically, I know my hairdresser. We can engage in easy conversation...and have a level of trust established. Not so much this time. Again, perfect stranger. And she really didn't even TRY to form a connection. So, I sat there in silence. Staring at my reflection. I began to think about how we as wounded vessels try to cover up or hide behind adornments. For instance, my new haircut. Or a new outfit, new watch, etc. And how I try to hide my ugliness not only from my girlfriends....but, most importantly my God. Or maybe, like me, you hide behind humor. When really, if we would acknowledge our wounded heart, ask our Heavenly Father to heal it, allow it to be healed....how much better our life would be!
It is that simple and it is that complicated.
One of my favorite stories.....
The Pearl Necklace
The cheerful girl with bouncy golden curls was almost five. Waiting with her mother at the checkout stand, she saw them: a circle of glistening white pearls in a pink foil box. "Oh please, Mommy. Can I have them? Please, Mommy, please!"
Quickly the mother checked the back of the little foil box and then looked back into the pleading blue eyes of her little girl's upturned face.
"A dollar ninety-five. That's almost $2.00. If you really want them, I'll think of some extra chores for you and in no time you can save enough money to buy them for yourself. Your birthday's only a week away and you might get another crisp dollar bill from Grandma."
As soon as Jenny got home, she emptied her penny bank and counted out 17 pennies. After dinner, she did more than her share of chores and she went to the neighbor and asked Mrs. McJames if she could pick dandelions for ten cents.
On her birthday, Grandma did give her another new dollar bill and at last she had enough money to buy the necklace.
Jenny loved her pearls. They made her feel dressed up and grown up. She wore them everywhere--Sunday school, kindergarten, even to bed. The only time she took them off was when she went swimming or had a bubble bath. Mother said if they got wet, they might turn her neck green.
Jenny had a very loving daddy and every night when she was ready for bed, he would stop whatever he was doing and come upstairs to read her a story. One night when he finished the story, he asked Jenny, "Do you love me?"
"Oh yes, Daddy. You know that I love you."
"Then give me your pearls."
"Oh, Daddy, not my pearls. But you can have Princess--the white horse from my collection. The one with the pink tail. Remember, Daddy? The one you gave me. She's my favorite."
"That's okay, Honey. Daddy loves you. Good night." And he brushed her cheek with a kiss.
About a week later, after the story time, Jenny's daddy asked again, "Do you love me?"
"Daddy, you know I love you."
"Then give me your pearls."
"Oh Daddy, not my pearls. But you can have my babydoll. The brand new one I got for my birthday. She is so beautiful and you can have the yellow blanket that matches her sleeper."
"That's okay. Sleep well. God bless you, little one. Daddy loves you." And as always, he brushed her cheek with a gentle kiss.
A few nights later when her daddy came in, Jenny was sitting on her bed with her legs crossed Indian-style. As he came close, he noticed her chin was trembling and one silent tear rolled down her cheek.
"What is it, Jenny? What's the matter?"
Jenny didn't say anything but lifted her little hand up to her daddy. And when she opened it, there was her little pearl necklace. With a little quiver,she finally said, "Here, Daddy. It's for you."
With tears gathering in his own eyes, Jenny's kind daddy reached out with one hand to take the dime-store necklace, and with the other hand he reached into his pocket and pulled out a blue velvet case with a strand of genuine pearls and gave them to Jenny. He had them all the time. He was just waiting for her to give up the dime-store stuff so he could give her genuine treasure.
--- Author Unknown
Why do I hold on to the facade?
It is that simple and it is that complicated.
Anyway, I told the lady to please make sure I could still put it up in a pony tale. And let's just say, B A R E L Y. But, it's a new 'do. And it's just hair.
