Seriously?

I got a lecture from the hair stylist today. It feels funny to say that I even have a "hair stylist", which may give way to part of the issue. I had a little giggle at the fact that she felt the need to tell me she was "not a fan" of my current hair color. True, I am not a "fan" either, however, it's my head right? Does a profession allow you the right to be overly opinionated to your clients? And what is it in us all that feels the need to "educate" one another on such topics? (we all have a degree of this!)

I realize that my hair is a strange bleached out color. I know it needs to be colored, and I will have my two hour encounter with chemicals soon. However, I am planning on being in Costa Rica for a week, and the summer is coming; a nice, long, UVA ray filled San Diego Summer (Praise God!) Who in their right mind would shell out the money to get her hair dyed now? I may as well give daily to the man on the corner with the sign that says, "I'll be honest, I just need a beer". So today, with that conclusion in mind, I only got a cut. I could tell by the twisted expression on her face, (and the sarcastic joke she made about stalking me in my sleep with hand full of dye) that she royally disapproved. Instead of being put out by her response, I put myself in her shoes....at least I tried.

I came to the conclusion today that it is a matter of passions. I like being a girl, I actually more so love it really. However, I am not overly "girly". My hair is not a preferred color right now, but that is straight up nature and my love of the sun. So the root issue to the odd color, is my passion of being outdoors (not to mention I found a hairdryer a few years ago, and then came product. That stuff really isn't overrated.)

Whereas my stylist's passion is hair, my passion is teaching. This made me think, how many times have I verbally questioned God about His method of choosing parents? Many times. I have also been short with parents in response to their outward naivety and carelessness, done uninvited house visits, and have been quoted to have actually said, "Come on! Seriously?" to a parent at a conference. So yes, there is my introverted outward response that is related to my passion, one that may not be someone else's. So I guess I may have made my "clients" feel like they were not doing their "job" either.

Whether it be taking care of one's hair, or child's reading ability, we all have different things we are specialized in, and it relates to our interests. I find this one of the greatest mysteries of God. How does He do that? How does He keep track of everyone and what they like to do? How does He make it all work? Just like we all need to read, we need things like getting our hair cut. Stretching it a bit I realize, it really feels great when you read and learn and it feel great to get your hair cut and even rejuvenated with a little boost of color. Both are confidence caffeine.

The day ended and my hair is still currently the bleached out color it was in High School. But the cut feels great, and after pondering this a greater portion of the day, I no longer am offended at the fact that I was lectured about the importance of caring for my hair with appropriate color maintenance. That's her passion, her art. I am thankful for her passion, for she even styles the back right. (Who wants a screwed up haircut in the back?) I am thankful that God gave us all different passions. I think that I need to be more aware of what people do, how they do it, and the different ways they approach their passions. It's another way of seeing the mystery of God.

We are all puzzle pieces. Some odder shaped than others, but equally important to the bigger picture. It's amazing picture, I can feel it all the way through my bones to the tips of my awkwardly colored hair.

God's Love Letter

I saw God's love letter today. I did not read it like you would a traditional letter; I saw and felt it. As I stepped out of my apartment and onto the edge of a cliff overlooking the ocean, I was overtaken by a sense that I was not alone. I felt Him there, standing next to me. I looked out upon the ocean and the most mezmorizing sunset filled my vision, while a cool breeze reminded me I was alive to soak in that image at that specific moment. As I sat overlooking the ocean, I was reminded that I am loved enough by a God who can create such wonder; such moments. I am loved. He will forever be my love.

"Why, yes I am!"

Single? Married? Our society uses these classifications like they are elementary grade school levels. Is knowing that answer really supposed to tell you anything? What do we really gather about a person, one you have never met mind you, by knowing if they are married or single? I hate that question, and not because I am in the single category. Logically speaking, has anyone ever really come up with an answer that doesn't make at least one of the two parties involved not feel awkward? It is a question our society treats as a general "small talk" starter, but in reality, I have found it (in addition to the question, "why don't you have children?) to be loaded.

You never know what a person's personal battle may be in this relational area of her life. What if she just got her heart put through a meat grinder? What if she is dealing with a family member who is sick and doesn't have the time (literally)? What if she just can't find a quality person, but pray nightly that the situation would change? Asking the question, simply reminds her that she is "different" and takes a potentially pleasant conversation and plunges it into a pit of an internal battle. If that person is anything like me, the question brings up a possible smorgas-borg of "reasons" and excuses that have been rummaging through my brain, multiplying with every bridesmaid dress I buy. I guarantee the answer, "I don't have time", or "I am happy single", are about as legit as Sandra Bullock saying she would love to take back Jesse James. (small one percent....maybe.)

As I asked earlier, how are you really supposed to answer the question? I mean, do these strangers (and they are, or else they would know that answer - if there is even one) genuinely want an answer? What do you really say other than, "I don't know." Even then, that sounds like you are naive about what is supposedly really going on. Let's face it, people think about it a lot, single and married. You cannot escape the topic. It is EVERYWHERE! So I have come up with my top ten responses to curve the "I don't know" (which is always followed by a pathetic look) response. Give anyone one of these responses, and I have found that I have the upper hand in the conversation.

1. I have bad skin. (easy way to change the subject....especially with Chaldean's!)

2. I am apparently not seen fit by God. (this is always followed by a look of shock)

3. I have one. I just keep him in my attic.

4. I have been told I have a really weird personality. Boyfriends must be for normal people.

5. I must be ugly. Thoughts?

6. Gosh, have I told you about all the cool things God has done in my life? (this one really leaves them perplexed because it doesn't even address the question...awesome!)

7. The last one has a restraining order against me. Since then, no one wants to date me.

8. Hmmmm...What do you think?

9. I must smell. Can you smell me right now?

10. Like it is hard to get a "boyfriend"? Have you not been to a bar?

11. I look really bad in white, so I am taking all possible measures to avoid it.

12. I am in a classroom for seven hours a day and there aren't any divorced single dads this year. Darn!

13. Then the sure fire, "What are you really looking for here?"

14. Can you get me one? ....by Friday?

This list grows by the week. I am just fully loaded right now. I was asked three times on Thursday. Really, no sarcasm there. Hate the question and I choose to have a little fun with it. I'm not mean spirited, just looking for a giggle amidst the potential downers in life. Success!