Now as I begin to tell the story of this “real life event,” I want you to know that there will not be a corresponding photo attached. Reason being, it’s not a pretty sight, and better kept under cover!
It all began on a day that I washed my hair. To you, that may not be an issue, but due to the curly hair I was blessed with, I use rollers and stay within the confines of my home for about four hours until my hair dries. Then I use a flat iron to calm my hair in an effort to look presentable to the general public.
I was “rollerfied” with about thirty of those brushed things in my hair for two hours as this renovation process was well underway. Yes, they’re the ones with the pink picks to hold the uncomfortable brushed hair in place on your head.
My husband was heading out to our local hardware store. I thought I’d go along for the ride and bring our little dog with us. We would just sit in the air conditioned car and wait for him on this very hot day. The situation was well in hand, and about twenty minutes later as my husband appeared at the car, I figured we would soon be on our way home.
However, I could tell by the manner in which he approached the car that something was brewing. Instead of approaching the driver’s side of the vehicle, he came over to me motioning for me to lower the window. Are you kidding, it was 33 degrees Celsius and that’s too hot to allow a window down allowing the heat to enter my comfortable seating arrangement.
However, he gestured excitedly for me to open the door and come into the store with him, exclaiming there was something in the kitchen department he wanted to show me right away.
Hey Mr. Husband, get a grip on what you’re asking, can’t you see I’m in rollers! Women do not appear in public in that condition. However, his demeanor insisted that come with him and without delay. Honestly prevailing, I could NOT believe he was asking me to expose me to the general public in this ghastly sight of me in rollers. He seemed oblivious to my self-conscious predicament and was so insistent I come.
So, what does a wife do in this situation? It was time to let my vanity and pride go down the tube. I grabbed the dog and cautiously exited the car. I kept my head down as I certainly didn’t want to make any eye contact with other customers. As we approached the entrance, there was a young gal standing there watching the customers come and go, preferably with their receipt in hand so she could check to make sure they paid for the product.
She took one look at me, and I felt the compelling need to explain my appearance. Without thinking, I told her that at their next staff meeting she could announce that some woman had the “guts” to come into their store in “rollers.” She began laughing herself to pieces.
Not wanting to draw a crowd I moved ahead to catch up with my husband who was intentionally several yards ahead of me. Although he plainly had demonstrated he wanted me in the store, he now didn’t want others to realize I was with “him.” How inconsiderate, I thought. You want to show me something, but at a distance from my appearance in rollers.
To my amazement, no one seemed to even look my way. However, with my head in the down position, I don’t think I would have noticed if they did get a glance.
Okay now, we’re now in the appliance department and I see what I was drawn into the store to look at. Now it’s time to exit the store! With head continuing in the down position, we moved to the exit, again with him way ahead of me. The same young gal was still at the door and she broke into laughter again as I approached her. But what came next surprised me.
I shared again with her not to forget the lady with rollers who had the courage to enter the store. When her laughter subsided, she burst out with, “You just made my day!” After all, rollers are a reality in life and why be ashamed of them. I gave a quick retort that we need to “be real and transparent in life,” and she couldn’t have agreed more.
Another way to phrase being transparent in life…..is…..to “be yourself.” I could imagine that each of us, at one time or another, has wished to be like someone else. It might be another’s looks, shape, personality, giftedness and we could go on and on. But God’s Word reminds me that He IS our Creator….our individual Creator. God designed each of us to be an “original,” not a copy of another. Besides, we really aren’t true to ourselves if we’re envying another person.
Psalm 139:13,14 ”For You formed my inward parts; You covered me in my mother’s womb. I will praise You, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made; marvelous are Your works, and that my soul knows very well. My frame was not hidden from You, when I was made in secret…..”
Perhaps most anyone reading this event might say to themselves, “I wouldn’t have done that for all the money in the world.” Or, “Why in the world would this gal entered a public place decked out in rollers?”
But even though the pride in my appearance was important, I wanted to look past it and perhaps even bring laughter to others, at my expense as I waltzed through the store.
Now after that I walked out the door of the hardware store, I was thankful that I left my pride in the car. It was pleasing to me that I made this gal’s day. Both she and I couldn’t stop laughing, and I made a new friend that day.
For the future, I’ll be inquiring of my husband if there’s any chance that we’re going to be out in public for the four hours following the time I get under rollers. If so, I’ll respectfully remain at home.
Yes, this is a true story and there are no photos to prove it. You’ll just need to trust me on this one. And furthermore, it can be “fun” to be who you were designed to be.
Cups of Cold Water 