By Dr. James L. Snyder
I admit that I often fail to notice things in life. Maybe I am just too busy.
The Gracious Mistress of the Parsonage often asks why I am not paying attention. To stay engaged in that debate, I respond, “I’m too poor to pay attention. Could I borrow 25 cents?”
Though I try to stay alert, I find it difficult. The older I get, the poorer I become in that department.
Everything came to a head recently when I entered the bathroom to shave, brush my teeth, and comb my hair. While combing, I noticed there wasn’t much hair left to manage. Strangely, the less hair I have, the longer it takes to comb it.
That’s when it hit me—I was going bald. I remembered my uncle, who explained his baldness by saying, “Grass doesn’t grow on a busy street.”
Last week, I told The Gracious Mistress of the Parsonage, “I’m going to the barber for a haircut.”
Just as I walked out, she said, “Have you decided which hair you’re getting cut this week?”
As I shut the door, I heard her laughing. I wasn’t laughing on my side of the door.
When I returned, she greeted me with, “Did the barber cut the right hair?” and laughed again as if it were hilarious.
What puzzles me most is why the hair on my face keeps growing while the hair on my head retires. Why can’t I reverse it? Then I wouldn’t need to shave daily.
I have tried different methods to cover the bald spot, but nothing works.
The blessing of being bald is that I only see it when looking in the mirror. Others may notice, but I can ignore it unless reminded by The Gracious Mistress of the Parsonage.
Keeping her away from the top of my head—and the missing hair—keeps peace in our home. She can fix anything, and I fear she may “fix” me in ways I won’t enjoy.
I once hoped that having less hair meant less combing. Yet every morning, I find myself spending the same amount of time on what’s left.
During my devotional reading, I came across Galatians 1:10: “For do I now persuade men, or God? Or do I seek to please men? For if I yet pleased men, I should not be the servant of Christ.”
That verse reminded me not to worry about what others think of my appearance. What matters is what God thinks of me.
Am I living a life that pleases Him?
When I focus on that question, my hair—or lack thereof—no longer matters.
Dr. James L. Snyder lives in Ocala, FL with the Gracious Mistress of the Parsonage. Telephone 1-352-216-3025, e-mail jamessnyder51@gmail.com, website www.jamessnyderministries.com.
