Long Hair Need to Care

I’ve always had long hair. Ever since my mom said yes to me begging in the eighth grade.  I’ve just always wanted to have long hair.  It hasn’t changed.  “Long hair don’t care” like they say.  It's gone through different iterations though.  I’ve had braids, twists, afros, dreads.  I even had it permed once.  Now the latest is a ponytail.  I’ve not done that before and it's cool I guess. Grace likes it. But I think these days I do it more because I’m kinda lazy.  I don’t want to have to maintain it much and just throwing it in a ponytail seems to be the easiest thing. Especially living in a van. It seems like the smallest of tasks take the largest amounts of effort.  I like having my hair braided but boy does it take so much work.  Like I said, I think I’m lazy.  

Recently on our stay in Las Vegas during Grace’s recovery from pneumonia, we had easy access to a shower.  I decided to finally do the job of a proper wash.  Boy was I in a world of hurt. Man I had so many knots, naps, and twists in my hair!  There for a second I was contemplating just shaving it all off or just starting locks again! I had to call in some assistance to get them out.  Glad I have a wonderful patient and strong wife by my side to deal with my messed up stuff!  She was gracious enough to help pull out the knots while she endured the suffering of her sickness.  

I’ve always hated combing through my hair.  It just isn’t that easy.  It's always after braids or twists and that naturally tangles my hair.  I’m not tender headed but geez it still hurts.  After that incident I began to pick out my hair more frequently.  I don’t go more than a couple of days without a good comb through.  And to my surprise I have found that it is not that bad to do it!  I guess that’s a part of growing up!  I realize now that if I just keep proper maintenance on this fro then it’s not bad to pick through.  As a matter of fact it kind of feels good.  It’s nice to have it flexed out (though I can’t do it often because I can’t stand in the van anymore)!

My hair reminds me of my spiritual life in ways.  First, when I don’t maintain my relationship with God things can get kind of knotted up.  Life becomes sluggish, disoriented, isolated, and depressing at times.  I don’t have joy and life. And I lack a sense of purpose at times.  It all comes down to me not properly taking care of my link.  Not keeping that consistent focus on Christ and his Spirit within me.  

Second, it reminds me of the ease of doing it when I maintain my faith consistently.  It’s no thing to just jump out the van and pick out my hair now because I do it consistently.  I have made it a routine in my daily life. When I make maintenance in my relationship with God routine I don’t easily forget to do it.  It’s a part of my life.  It is my life!  

I want to encourage you to find a pattern or routine to keep that God contact flourishing in your life.  If you want to know what are some things you can do to grow faith and keep a vibrant relationship, check out this helpful video I made (link to video).  It’s modeled after one of the classes that I teach at festivals and events for the nomadic community I chaplain. May it bless you in your journey to a wonderful community with the God who desires to be present with us!