EVERYTHING CHANGES
As soon as I stepped inside I was reminded again that everything changes, and with an exclamation mark to boot.
“Just a trim today?” she asked like a seasoned pro who could read a situation in her little corner of the world like Sherlock Holmes.
“No – I want it cut,” I replied.
The mid to late twenties girl’s shoulders pulled back like someone had shoved them simultaneously at the same time as her brown eyes popped to circles, “All of it?” she questioned.
“Yeah, all of it. I wanna donate it, then I don’t want to use a ponytail holder anymore,” I explained.
I was a stranger in a strange town. Or at least that’s what it felt like. I hadn’t stepped foot into a place where they professionally cut hair in more than two decades… Now I have an idea of how Rumplestiltskin felt.
A lot has changed in the last twenty two or three years along with the how the supreme court views marriages… then again everything changes.
The guys salon had the stereo cranked up the 70’s disco era nightclub decibel levels and the place was decorated in black and red; red walls, black ceiling, and black and red checkerboard tiles on the floor.
The plush red leather theatre type of recliners were in two rows, the back one being up on a step like a mini-theatre. Across on the opposite wall were three Texas sized TV’s. If that weren’t enough for my mind to fathom, there was a red felt pool table between the seats and the TV’s.
The only thing missing in that hair cutting joint was a dog for me to mumble to, “Toto, I’ve a feeling we’re not in Kansas anymore.”
Proof that everything changes is that hair keeps growing, maybe not where we want it to, but it keeps sprouting. Due to that fact, I’ve sent a fair amount of hair to the places that make wigs for kids with cancer.
I wouldn’t want anyone to get the wrong idea of me and rush out to title a Catholic church in my namesake. I wore my hair the way I wanted as much for the fact that it was easier to pull it back into a ponytail that to run to the barber shop constantly.
I figured if that’s how I was going to live with my hair, some unfortunate child should at least get the benefit of my quirkiness.
The era for me sporting longer hair is over and probably significantly past due, but change isn’t easy. If something as trivial as changing a hairstyle can seem trying, how much more difficult to wrestle with are the significant matters in life?
Nobody likes change and yet it’s the only guarantee we have in this life. Most of us tend to obsess and stress over all matters in life as if by worrying enough could change the outcome.
I can’t begin to recollect all the times that I’ve had to be reminded that my infinitesimal will means nothing when it doesn’t align with that of my Father’s.
Most of us sweat the small stuff too often and miss the big ones that mean the most. It’s never about the soul cage dressing, it’s about the soul’s destination. And everything does change… except the One who designed all of it…
Lisa notes
Sunday, July 5, 2015 @ 2:47 pm
Nice, Floyd. Both the hair and the intention. Speaking for myself, changing hairdo’s is a big deal. Kudos to you for your willingness to give it up for somebody else. May you enjoy short hair! Jeff can’t keep his short enough these days; he loves it. ๐
June
Sunday, July 5, 2015 @ 7:33 pm
I’m so thankful for the steadfastness of our Lord. He is our ROCK in this ever changing storm of life.
The last time you mentioned your hair you inspired me to cut 9 inches off my mane. Sadly, when I looked into donating, I learned that they don’t take color treated hair. Oh, well, at least I’m a little lighter for the summer! Have a great week!
Voni
Sunday, July 5, 2015 @ 10:01 pm
Yay! No canonization, just admiration for how you see God in all the day-to-day life things like haircuts. thanks, Floyd!
Cheryl Smith
Monday, July 6, 2015 @ 12:20 am
Such a wonderful thing you did for those kids, Floyd. I have a real hard time with change. Having moved over 45 times while growing up, let’s just say change and me don’t get along too well! LOL! My boss used to tell me that the only thing consistent in this life is change. I hate acknowledging that fact, but he was right. I am glad some things will never change, though, like God’s Word. Man can try to alter it and “re-define” it, but they will NEVER change God’s mind or His Holy Word. So thankful for that, and as you said, for the One Who designed all of it. Thank you for your consistent encouragement…you are such a blessing. ๐
Hazel Moon
Monday, July 6, 2015 @ 12:31 am
Hair styles can change, but I like your reminder that God does not change. He is the same yesterday, today and forever and His mercies do not fail. almost two years now, Robert decided he was going to save $15 every 6 weeks, so he had me watch a you/tube video how to cut a man’s hair. The hair clipper attachments really help too and Robert is happy. Thank you for another delightful post.
Bill (cycleguy)
Monday, July 6, 2015 @ 4:34 am
Do you mind if I borrow some? If i grew mine like that they would call it a skullet. ๐ I could transplant it to the top.
Kim Adams Morgan
Monday, July 6, 2015 @ 8:05 am
Way to go. I bet it feels so strange now when you wash it, right? I have thick hair and go in stages where I want it long, then want it short. I will go in and get 7-8 inches cut off, then feel bald. It is a great cause and an amazing way to do something so special. Hope you love the new look. I’m so glad that God never changes. He is my Rock.
Betty Draper
Monday, July 6, 2015 @ 4:35 pm
Most of us sweat the small stuff too often and miss the big ones that mean the most. Itโs never about the soul cage dressing, itโs about the soulโs destination. One must learn this lesson to find contentment. I love those scriptures where Paul talks about giving up our rights, giving up the small for the big picture. Giving up our “hair” or what ever it is seems such a small sacrifice in light of the blessing it brings others. This was something I had to get on top of when we left for the mission field with our kids. I have to watch myself and make sure I keep that big picture in my view even today, in fact, and I have said this before, stateside living is harder then living in a third world country. there is so much to distract us, to keep us thinking about what we think we need next. Recently we have been looking for furniture (ours was very uncomfortable) and finally just bought a love seat, duel reclining with console …pretty fancy. Ace and I looked till we were over whelmed, looking for that piece that fit our budget and would be comfortable for these two old bodies. After about the fourth store, Ace said, we never did this in Papua New Guinea, we just sit on what we had, comfortable or not. And I said, yes, because there were no choices. All that and your post got me to thinking, choices and change seem to go together. The less choices the less changes we will make. WE will just do with what we have got and either be contented or frustrated all the time. Paul states it well, he learned to be content in little or a lot. I think you will be contented with less hair brother just as you were with more.
Sandra @ Sandra's Ark
Monday, July 6, 2015 @ 6:33 pm
Yes I have never been fond of change yet have always embraced it and coped with it when it has come. God is good like that – He knows just what help we need when we need it.
Nannette and the Sweetheart
Monday, July 6, 2015 @ 6:36 pm
No pictures?? ๐ Always enjoy your analogies Floyd. Praying you get used to your new “do”! So glad Jesus never changes, He’s faithful.
April
Tuesday, July 7, 2015 @ 7:22 am
Wait, what? You cut your hair? I’m with Nannette, we need pictures of this! ๐
saleslady371
Tuesday, July 7, 2015 @ 8:18 am
I’m proud of you brother. What a neat thing to do. I like the call to action in your words. All of us can DO SOMETHING…ever read that book? And I bet that’s the response you would hope to get today..do something for others. It is no easy thing to transition from long to short hair. Last week, I toyed with this long red haired wig with waves of hair flowing all over my shoulders and I realized “that’s what it feels like.” It looked very very bad on me too; couldn’t wait to get it off. And so it goes with the spiritual….some things need to change in me. God knows it and I know it. Yes, everything changes, hopefully.
Jason Stasyszen
Tuesday, July 7, 2015 @ 1:24 pm
I think in order to keep from sweating the small stuff, you have to first realize that they are indeed small. At least for me, the little problems and issues can feel so large and heavy… until I get God’s take on it. Oh yeah, He’s big and I’m small. He’s got it covered. ๐ Good reminder, Floyd. Thanks.
Jay Cookingham
Tuesday, July 7, 2015 @ 2:21 pm
Always knew you were a cut above the rest my brother!
Diane
Tuesday, July 7, 2015 @ 2:50 pm
First of all, I kinda got the creeps from that barber shop. I think I would have walked in and turned and ran. You have guts, Floyd! Love what you did with your hair. Love the message. Boy, I’ve learned that same lesson in the last year and a half. I didn’t have to cut mine; mine is falling out! LOL. Stress!
Pam
Tuesday, July 7, 2015 @ 3:11 pm
Some changes are more difficult to accept than others. It’s always easier when the change is our choice rather than forced on us.
Love that you donated your hair, Floyd. As soon as I found out the chemotherapy would make me lose my hair, I decided to donate it. However, when I made the appointment, the beautician failed to tell me that I had to have it cut before the first treatment in order for it to be accepted. That was a bummer. ๐
Nancy Kehr
Tuesday, July 7, 2015 @ 3:49 pm
Hey Floyd…Loved the post!
I’m going to go on a tangent here for a minute! You know, I have long been feeling been driven by an urgency in my spirit to pray over the BODY of Christ regarding change. So many brothers and sisters, it seems, like to try to stay in the same place as when they were first saved because they “felt good” or they “felt so free”. They can’t even conceive that God has more out there for them. On the other hand, I have also witnessed Christians in ministry who try to hold onto a certain post or position long after God had begun nudging them out of the comfort zones. Neither is helpful or productive. Change prompted and moderated by The Holy Spirit will bring joy and peace. He establishes us not matter what!
Barb
Tuesday, July 7, 2015 @ 8:24 pm
What? No picture with the new haircut?! I bet it feels nice and cool to have short hair again. And to make someone happy in the process! ๐
Caleb Suko
Wednesday, July 8, 2015 @ 12:44 am
Floyd I found myself going back to your last paragraph,
“Most of us sweat the small stuff too often and miss the big ones that mean the most. Itโs never about the soul cage dressing, itโs about the soulโs destination. And everything does changeโฆ except the One who designed all of itโฆ”
We really need to remind ourselves of this often, if we don’t it’s easy to become discouraged and loose hope. Thankfully, our God is faithful and unchanging in his nature. That’s something I can rest on securely at night!
Mike
Wednesday, July 8, 2015 @ 9:08 am
Isn’t it amazing that those who are Christ followers strive daily to become more like Christ, while the world around us is striving to become more anti-Christ. With the speed in which things are going downhill, most recently the Supreme Court’s decision; we have no time to sweat the small stuff anymore. Us dinosaur, fable believing, bigots need to hold tight to the hope of our Savior, and be ready for the spiritual battles ahead. And with all the slings and arrows that may be thrown at us in the near future, we need to let the love of Christ live in us and shine through us more powerfully than ever before. Always enjoy your way of sharing, Floyd!
Micah
Thursday, July 9, 2015 @ 12:36 am
Wow. What a change to make after twenty years. My wife did something similar a few months ago, cutting her hair to donate, but I doubt it involved the same level of change. I mean I can still remember the day I walked into my barbers a few years ago to have my hair cut for the first time in 6 years (used to be braided into corn rows). That experience alone felt like I was turning a corner of some kind in my life, closing one chapter and opening the next. It’s strange how vivid a marker it remains to me of passing from youth into adulthood. Goes to show how big a deal change and growth are. Like you say, it’s never easy. I think Rick Warren put it best.
‘Growth doesn’t happen without change. There is no change without loss. There is no loss without pain. Growth means suffering.’
Which is why it’s nice when the changes we make are for good. It’s a shame not all change in our world falls into that category.
Crystal Mary Lindsey
Thursday, July 9, 2015 @ 5:26 am
Yes, Praise God he never changes, unlike fashions.
Dolly@Soulstops
Tuesday, July 14, 2015 @ 4:44 pm
Floyd,
Good for you for making a positive difference in a child’s life…I had to chuckle when I read there was a pool table between the chair and the TVs ๐