Hair Product Soul Searching

I read an interesting article in a magazine for women in ministry. The author was writing about being a control freak...but after reading her most interesting personality analysis...I decided to take a little bit of a different angle.

She suggests that we ladies often use hair products that "speak" for our personality. I laughed at that because I had just purchased a new shampoo by Bed Head called, "Manipulator". I know it is kind of odd to consider that our personality may coincide with hair products...but I began doing some self-evaluation.

Being the baby of the family of three girls, I never really thought of myself as manipulative. I thought of my "tactics" as means of survival amongst my two older sisters. My oldest sister, Cheryl, is the talkative Pollyanna who has a heart of gold. My sister who is four and a half years older, Connie, is the artistic one with a heart for people who would not be on my "friend" list. I was the baby. Everyone knows babies are manipulative, right? It is to be expected. We learn how to get our way in watching our older siblings, right?

I honestly never saw my "ways" as manipulative. At the age of 42, I am finally coming to grips with the fact that I learned how to turn "discussions" (or arguments). I had a blind eye to my own ways. I think that is my biggest source of manipulation. If there are other ways needing mending, God will show me.

Manipulation equals control freak?!?! So, I guess I am writing about control freaks. We all learn in our own ways means of controlling issues or people. The funny thing is, the hair "glop" that I use to get the look I want for my hairstyle is simply called, "flexible wax".

Flexible manipulator??? The flexible wax is on the outside...to help my hair look good. Whereas the manipulator shampoo is scrubbed into my hair. Do you see the picture here? Inside is the manipulator who appears flexible on the outside?

As I stated, it seemed a bit "far fetched" at first for me to look to my hair products as guides to my personality. I have been a bit vulnerable here in hoping to inspire you to do some soul searching. You don't have to look to your hair products to tell you about your characteristics. Simply look inside your heart letting Jesus show you who you are. Let him show you from the inside out the things that need changed.

Lord, Jesus, I pray that you will continue to show me attitudes or characteristics about myself that need changing. Lord, I have (fill in the blank, in my case, been a manipulator) _____________ for so long that I really have a hard time seeing that in me. Please help me to see how I truly am and help to change me from the inside out. My desire is to be the godly lady (wife, mom, etc.) that You want me to be. Jesus, I want to change my heart, mind, and soul for You. Thank you that you are so patient with me. I love you! In Your precious and holy name, Amen.

Turn Around and Shine

We recieved a beautiful glass cross with a saying etched in glass behind it. It simply reads:

"When you turn to God, you discover He has been facing you all the time."

How true and how precious! "Then the righteous will shine like the sun..." (Mt. 13:43a I remember reading that verse when I was younger and longing for people to see His difference in me. I had always loved looking at those who you could sincerely tell had Jesus in control of their lives. Their countenance GLOWED. I wanted that glow of Jesus.

When we turn to Jesus, letting his face shine upon us, we will have His glow. My prayer is that Jesus will so shine through those who love Him and live for Him that all around us will see His Light and crave it.

Shine Jesus shine, fill this land with the Father's glory. Let your light so shine before men....

God bless and keep you strong in Him!

The Warrior is a Child - Twila Paris (Orig. 1984 Version)

I have always loved this song as if it speaks for this "closet introvert".