Saturday, 12 May 2012

Hidden Spectaculars



Source: The White House

Another week, another grey hair. The experiment to stop dying my hair and go naturally the colour God intends me to be is producing both pros and cons.

Pro - My hair is lightening naturally around my face and it doesn't seem so harsh against my speedily aging skin.
Pro - I hate dying my hair soooo much. Always but ALWAYS manage to get some on the bathroom wall.
Pro - Family say they all like it.
Pro - Saving money

Con - Had no idea it would happen this fast! All these years holding back a tsunami of grey. Who knew?

Old age makes you reflect a bit on  the changes you've seen. HOH and I were watching the news this week about the recovery of the underwear from the would-be plot to bring down a plane. In my day, when you said someone had had an explosion in their underpants it just meant that nappy training wasn't as far along as you had hoped it was. Unfortunately now things are different.
The news says that terrorists are always looking for a "Spectacular" A 9/11. Something to get everyone's attention. A big immediate impact that will change the world.
I wonder if we are all like that. Not that I want to blow up a plane or anything but looking for the next spectacular. Where's my Burning Bush God? If I had a Burning Bush in front of me accompanied by a loud booming voice telling me to take my shoes off, I am certain the following would be true.

  1. The shoes would be off pretty sharpish.
  2. I would be a lot more certain about God's direction and more confident about actually acting on it.
However, I find that life is rarely that certain and our Hydrangeas remain intact and un-singed. Because most of us do not live that life. And, although, it's not as exciting to say so, most of us know what we should be doing every day and what God says about the way we conduct our lives. God isn't going to turn up every twenty minutes to reiterate everything he has already said as if he was a contestant on Mastermind whose specialist subject was "The Flaming Obvious"! And if the daily decisions we make about the way we live our lives don't seem that spectacular at first glance, who is to say where they will lead?
Do you think that on December 1st 1955 when Rosa Parks refused to give up her seat for a white person, she thought for one moment that one day the President of the United States would be sitting in that seat reflecting on what followed? I suspect not. She said that she was just "Tired of giving in." 
Her decision, which was a reflection of the life she lived - she was active in the Civil Rights Movement - was part of a chain reaction which would change a society. I suspect it didn't feel anything like that at the time.

Not all actions are "spectaculars". Not everything has immediate effect. Sometimes, spending so much time longing for flashing lights and girls twirling batons, can mean forgetting to do what we are meant to be doing now and who knows what kind of a spectacular that could be causing somewhere down the road?

But he's already made it quite plain how to live, what to do, what God is looking for in men and women.
It's quite simple. Do what is fair and just to your neighbour, be compassionate and loyal in your love, 
And don't take yourself too seriously - take God seriously
Micah 6:8 The Message



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5 comments

  1. I LOVE this post. Brilliant! Keep 'em coming xx

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  2. I've found that God whispers. If you don't listen then God raises His voice. If you are still too flipping thick to take notice He shouts....you don't want to hear Him shout. I listen for whispers!
    Jane x

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  3. What a great post - really spoke to me. I keep wondering whether to let my mop go grey xx

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  4. Last December I had my hair coloured for the last time. My lovely niece (a fabulous hairdresser) had been highlighting/colouring my hair for years, but I decided that enough was enough. I, too, was fed up with the mess/cost. My husband is delighted. He says that my hair feels so much softer now! I admit I miss the lift that being blonde gave me (I am naturally a mousy colour), but this hair colour suits my face. I also found that the white/grey hairs have spread very quickly, but my daughter reminds me that grey hair is 'a crown of wisdom'. And I feel I'm saying something positive about aging: we don't have to feel pressured into looking how the magazines tell us we should be. Interestingly, the only person who's been at all negative about my new look is my niece - although she says it kindly. I suppose, being a hairdresser means that she is trained to always try and improve on what God gives us.
    Kay

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  5. Amen...also on letting your hair go natural, I have been thinking about that...I only get it cut once a year and then dye it myself, maybe once a year, so that would be easier.

    Yes on Rosa Parks...no she just did what she knew she was to do and turned history. I don't even think she thought of it as bold!

    May I take each opportunity myself, even in the everyday. Praying for the team that went to Cambodia..it won't show up in the papers, but I knew it was my part and God meet me there.

    Blessings to you...enjoy your writing and how you take life at this stage and teach a lesson from it

    Enjoy your hair!!!!!!!!

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