CAROL ROUND, in an article first published by ASSIST News Service, writes about an encounter that highlighted “mankind’s dissatisfaction with the outward appearance”…
Grove, Oklahoma
Via ASSIST News Service
“I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; your works are wonderful, I know that full well” – Psalm 139:14 (NIV).
PICTURE: Lauren Fleischmann/Unsplash
“Excuse me, hon, but I just love your hair.”
Focused on shopping at one of the Big Box stores, I was startled when I turned to see a woman beside me in the cereal aisle. I estimated she was in her mid-to-late 70s. Her hair, except for a few stray curls, was completely covered by a knitted beanie cap with a pom-pom on top.
“Thank you,” I replied.
“I sure wish my hair looked that good,” she said. “I hate my hair.”
I assumed that was the reason she’d covered it with the cap. I knew I was right when she continued.
“I just hate for anyone to see my ugly hair. It’s kinky, black, but mainly gray.”
She continued to compliment my hair, which I confess I’d just coloured at home the week before. I, too, have graying hair. However, I still have enough of my natural colour, a darker blonde that I choose to hide the gray. While I don’t hate my hair, now, I used to, but not because of the colour.
Born with curly hair, I grew up in the 60s when the long, straight tresses of Cher were all the rage. I wanted my kinky hair to relax and flow around my face. To compound my hair problems, we lived in a humid climate near the Gulf coast. Humidity was not my hair’s friend.
I shared this bit of information with her as she continued to ask about my hair. She had two boxes of hair colour in her basket. Holding one of them up, she asked, “Do you think this would cover my gray hair?”
Looking at the box, I saw it was for blondes. I knew it wouldn’t help her salt and pepper hair. Trying to get the blonde to cover the remaining dark tresses would probably result in less-than-desired results. I told her so.
Hesitating after my remark, she asked, “Would you show me which colour I should use? If you’re busy, it’s OK…but I really like your hair colour.”
Amused, but willing to help, I told her to follow me across the store to the hair product section. When I showed her the brand I used, mentioning I thought it was the best, she picked up a blonde colour again. Trying to be polite, I said, “I really don’t think you will be happy with the results if you use the same colour I use. It won’t cover your gray or the darker strands very well.”
After helping her make a decision, I returned to my shopping. Rolling my cart down the aisles, I thought about mankind’s dissatisfaction with the outward appearance. Whether it’s our hair or our body, we can usually find something we wish we could change. I’m no different.
Then, I try to remember that God doesn’t make junk. We’re all fearfully and wonderfully made. Let us find satisfaction in remembering Psalm 139:14.
Life would be boring if we were all perfect.
