Going Gray: A Lesson in Character

It was a Sunday like any other Sunday. I got up. Wandered around with my coffee for a bit and then went into the bathroom to begin my Sunday morning beauty routine. It was when I began brushing my hair that I saw it.

Smack in the center of my head, a pure silver hair grew. Refusing to go the way of the other blonde hairs and displaying all the typical characteristics of the elderly, it stood up, crooked and bent, practically shouting to be noticed.  

It was bold. It was wiry. It was GRAY.

What do I do!!??

My mind raced. The gray hair stared back at me in the mirror...reminding me that the time for mature behavior had officially arrived.

"SEEEEAAAAANNNNN!!!!! GET IN HEEEERE! I NEEEEED YOU NOWWWW!"

Within seconds Sean stood in the doorway, one shoe on his foot and the other poised in his hand ready to whack whatever bug I was screaming about.

"Oh my gosh...I  have a gray hair! On my head!!" Oh dear, I can't believe this is happening to me! I told you this is what comes of having birthdays! This is what happens when you go beyond 30!!!!"

Unimpressed, the family wanders away. Jubilee remained to give me a comforting pat. "Awwww mommy, it's OK, your still cute."

I stare in the mirror. "Lord, you said the hairs of my head are numbered...so you might want to make an adjustment to that figure because this hair is LEAVING!"

Most godly women I know desire to be like the woman described in Proverbs 31. She has so many beautiful characteristics and it says her price is far above jewels. She is godly, poised, trustworthy, and distinguished. I decided to go back and read the passage again to see if she might have had gray hairs too perhaps.

As I read, I felt God impress upon my heart that the characteristics of this lovely woman did not come overnight. These types of qualities take a long time to establish and mature. 

Our pastor said once that no one can increase the speed in which an oak tree grows, nor can anyone speed up the process in which God molds the character of His people. 

This proverbian woman is obviously well established, she has a large family and household. She has a thriving business. Based on these facts, I'm pretty sure she probably had a silver hair or two. 

However, we can see that gray hair and wrinkles dosen't hinder her service to God, to her family and to her community. In fact the only mention of beauty in the entire passage says, "Charm is deceitful and beauty is vain, but a woman who fears the LORD, she shall be praised." Proverbs 31:30.

I pray, "Lord, let me always desire to please you first and may my life and appearance be a tribute to only you. Let me not become a slave to youth and beauty and vanity because it is fleeting and deceptive and there are so many other more important qualities I want to have fully developed someday. Help me to be a good example to my daughters that they may know their true value and lovliness as they learn to grow more beautiful in You everyday".

I left the gray hair in place until I could show my mother. 

And then I pulled it out. 

And then I asked mother if she wanted to put it in my baby book.