A Crown of Splendor

It is interesting to me the reactions I get from people when they realize that I am going gray on purpose. You know, the point in time when it becomes obvious that the gray roots are now longer than the old color. I have gotten reactions ranging from shock ("you mean you MEAN for it to look like that?!") to displeasure ("it looks SO much better colored") to a wee bit of envy ("I wish I had the guts to do it").

Seriously, no other appearance related comment would be appropriate or acceptable. Think about it:

"Dang, girl, you've packed on a few pounds!"

"What's with the new makeup? You look ridiculous!"

"Did you think those glasses looked good in the store?"

I have spent the last 25 years soaking my hair in chemicals to cover up the silver that all the women in my family (both sides) have had for as long as I can recall. Only a few of them have flaunted their natural color, and of those, I always thought their hair color was amazing. Both of my grandmothers had beautiful silver hair. As a matter of fact, I didn't see a picture of my Grandma Stigall with dark hair until after she had passed away....and then I was astounded at the resemblance of her to Kate Winslet.

Though in reality, Grandma was prettier.

I let my vanity control my hair color until about a year ago. I didn't want to be mistaken as my children's grandmother. I didn't want to be taken for older than I already am. I didn't want people to think I'd look better some other way. At the root of it all was my need to please people. I am the one who asks for 59 opinions before I buy something. I'm the one who asks, "What would YOU do/say/eat/drink/buy?" And, as you probably know, there are plenty of people willing to offer their opinions.

But then one day I realized that I am a grown up. I am who God made me. I have gray hair and it really doesn't look bad at all. Some people even think it's....pretty.

And really, aren't I supposed to not be conformed to the world (and it's need to cover their grays) but be transformed by the renewing of my mind? Renewing my mind by perhaps thinking about my hair the way God thinks about my hair? (And yes, I do think He has given my hair consideration....after all, my hair color was determined by God before He even formed me. My days were numbered, the hairs on my head were counted, and their exact color and texture were planned out by the Creator Himself.) Renewing my mind by knowing that God says "gray hair is a crown of splendor; it is attained by a righteous life". Renewing my mind by being who He created ME to be. Authentic. Real. Transparent.

And in my case, gray.