Hair Today Gone Tomorrow

Day 29

I Hate My Hair!

The comedian Jeff Foxworthy muses over the 4 words a husband most hates to hear from his wife as they prepare to go out; “I hate my hair!”

He goes on to bring laughter to many who can relate, explaining that those words warn him that he has a very long wait ahead of him.

I can relate. I’ve hated my thin, stringy hair for as long as I can remember. It may sound ridiculous, but I’ve always envied women with thick, beautiful hair. Clearly I’m not alone in my feelings. Just watch a few commercials for women’s hair care products to understand that marketers are playing on these widespread feelings of envy and self-worth.

In those moments of loathing I’ve always made it a point to express gratitude for the fact that I HAVE hair. A bit ironic seeing that I’m now about to lose it all. But now I see a beauty to it, and I’ll tell you why….

A woman’s hair is much like a crown of glory and is one of the physical features that defines her. We take great care of it, spend a lot of money enhancing it, and allow it to shape our feelings of self worth – even to the point of arousing envy in some of us.

Our True Identity

When we’re willing to let go of the things that are controlled by our carnal nature, we allow God to do a work in us. It’s the surrender within the heart that purifies us and brings us closer to our true selves. It’s looking in the mirror and seeing ourselves as he sees us – beautiful, beloved children.

You and I are not physical beings living in a physical world. We are Spiritual beings living in a very temporary and imperfect physical world – for a very, very short period of time. Our identities have absolutely nothing to do with how we look. Our bodies, beautiful or homely, thin or fat, short or tall, will all wither away.

Surrender – and Rebirth

Pink striped pixie – love you Suzie, you can even make hair loss fun!

In surrendering my hair with a sense of peace, I hope to be able to tear away at some of the vanity and pride that have been so important to my feelings of self-worth.

I’ve found it interesting that I continue to hear stories from women who have lost their hair during chemo, and tell me that it grew back fuller, curlier, and more beautiful than ever. I am choosing to believe that will be my experience as well. Rather than viewing my hair as part of my self-worth, I hope it will serve as a testimony to the power of God to build us up and make us even better when we honor him by our willingness to sacrifice and believe.

Hope you enjoy the video!