I woke up yesterday morning and decided to wash my hair. Now you might be asking why on earth would I be telling you that I washed my hair. It's something we all do several times a week. But...There is more !!
You see.. I missed my normal hair appointment about 3 weeks ago when Sam was in the hospital. Well.. my grey roots have really grown out fast this time. I still have 2 more weeks before my next appointment.
As I was blowing drying my hair...looking in the mirror...I thought about how many times I have seen other women with such long grown out grey roots and have made the comment to Myself.... "If they have colored hair, why do they let their roots grow out like that?"
Then.. this voice spoke to me... "Have you ever stopped to consider that life may have interrupted them?"
"Maybe they too were caring for a loved one. Maybe grief showed up in their life. Maybe sickness or finances or responsibility took priority."
In that moment, I realized how easily we form conclusions from the surface, never considering the unseen sacrifices beneath. Scripture reminds us, "Man looks at the outward appearance, but the Lord looks at the heart." 1 Samuel 16:7
So what if grey roots tell a story of endurance, of compassion, and choosing what really matters in life? Seeing life through heaven's lens is what is important...Grace outweighs judgement and love always counts more than appearances. I pray that my life will show evidence of a life poured out in love and not one full of criticism of others.
I know this is a silly story, but silly or not, I am thankful that the Lord spoke to me!
Shug...
Today, my family honors my brother (Joe) on his birthday...his first birthday in heaven. There is a quiet ache knowing we cannot call, laugh or celebrate the way we always did, yet there is also a gentle peace in knowing that he is wrapped in a joy far greater than anything we could possibly imagine. I think of how (on his first birthday in heaven) he is celebrating and praising the Lord.
The lesson you shared about forming conclusions from the surface is so good! I found your thoughts comforting about the first birthday in heaven of your brother. We truly do greatly miss those who have gone on ahead to heaven, but we know they are joyfully resting with the Lord. I also wanted to mention how beautiful the header is here, with all the trees. Thank you!
ReplyDeleteThat's a really good lesson - thank you for sharing it.
ReplyDeleteIt's so good that in the midst of pain, we can have joy in the knowledge of heaven.
It's not a silly story, my friend. It's a wonderful reminder for me to not be judgmental. Thank you for sharing it.
ReplyDeleteThank you also for the update on Sam and how the appointment went with the new doctor. Praying for you both...and your family. xx
It's amazing how the smallest things can hold the deepest revelations.
ReplyDeleteHappy Birthday in heaven to Joe.. You are so right about this. I have said the same thing and now I am betting when people see me, they can't see what is going on in my life, I hide it well except for blabbing about it on the blog. and I hope people who wonder why I blab everything on the blog will know its because I have no one to talk to, not even a husband.
ReplyDelete❤️💕❤️💕❤️💕
ReplyDeleteThis isn't a silly story at all, Shug - I love how you can turn the ordinary experiences into a beautiful lesson for us all that we can take to heart. Blessings!
ReplyDeleteThat is one of the best lessons I have ever read. I never thought of that - but how true it is. Makes me feel I am very judgmental.
ReplyDeleteGlad his treatment plans sounded good. Glad your daughter went too.
Thank you so much for the update on Sam. Your new doctor sounds like he will do the very best for your hubby. Still praying for the new tests and infusions.
ReplyDeleteGreat lessons to apply to my life too. It can be so easy to be judgmental and critical. I will remember the gray hair story. Love you my friend.
Sue
My roots showed for a long while as I was letting my hair become its natural color, white as snow. Now it is past my shoulders and I love it. 😄 I did this when I was only 55, which may seem young, but it's not,
ReplyDeleteIf you just frost that hair a bit it will all blend in! Good to hear that you are confidant with the Oncologist and his plan:) Prayers continue.
ReplyDeleteNot a silly story at all! I suppose we've all been judgmental at one time or another -- not consciously mean-spirited, but still. I hope I'm going to remember your story the next time my thoughts take a wrong turn.
ReplyDeleteSam's new doctor sounds wonderfully thorough. I'm so glad he took time to explain everything from A-to-Z. (I once told Tom's doctor something like, "This may be all routine to you, but it's foreign to us. Please speak to us in terms we can understand.")
Your story is not silly at all! It is what the stuff of life is made of! And you are so right about our inward judgements. I guess it is just human nature, but we need to remember what you are saying! I am so sorry about your brother, I am guessing it kind of casts a shadow on this season.
ReplyDeleteWords of wisdom from you, Shug! We all need to reserve our judgement. Sending prayers your way as dealing with the holidays after the loss of family is difficult. Very difficult. Thank you for linking up and wishing you the very best weekend.
ReplyDeleteLovely post and a lesson to us all.
ReplyDeleteI'm glad Sam's appointment was helpful. It was good that your daughter was with you, another pair of ears to take it all in.
I love how you can take an ordinary story like this and find a lesson in it. I think it's lovely and a perfect example.
ReplyDeleteSo very sorry about your brother. A happy heavenly birthday to him and may you remember the fondest memories as he celebrates.
Thank you for sharing God's revelations to you, how we need to hear them.
ReplyDeleteSo sorry to read about your brother and this being his first birthday gone. As for the tinsel, that's very funny. I never really think about people's hair in terms of why they let their roots grow. Though I have seen women rock their gray hair. I had one customer, no, wait, two customers with long gray hair and these women were stunning.
ReplyDeleteIt's not the gray. It's not the wrinkles. It's how we wear them. And if we're very, very lucky in life, we'll get to see both for ourselves.