ZZ Top

A friend of mine recently underwent some extensive plastic surgery. This person intensely dislikes pain and apparently had no idea that plastic surgery involves pain. Duhhh In fact they are undergoing excruciating pain right now and lamenting the fact that they ever underwent it.

Hmmm What is the fascination with trying to look young? I cannot say that I have been immune to it. I wore a beard until I was in my forties and then it started turning gray and I shaved it off. The other day I was looking at a photo of me in full beard sitting atop a Harley. I longed to regain that youthful vigorous look again, and then I thought, “Well why not? I’ll just grow that baby back”.

In a couple of weeks I began to look like a cross of something in-between a very old Mennonite farmer, ZZ TOP, Fidel Castro, and a Billy goat. It brought tears to my eyes as I scraped it off with a dull razor.

I am embarrassed to tell this story because something similar happened with my hair. A few years back my hair had turned almost completely gray and so had my eyebrows. I decided that with today’s modern miracles just a drugstore away, that there was no reason that I should have to put up with such. I decided to join the billions of women out there who do this every day and just dye my hair.

I bought some stuff at the drugstore and headed home thinking soon I would look like I did in my twenties again. I am not detail oriented, so true to form I promptly ignored the instructions, lathered up with it, sat back and relaxed in the tub. I had a million things on my mind and kind of lost track of time and must have sat in the tub chilling out for an hour. Finally I had enough, rinsed off, and got out to inspect the new me.

When I looked in the mirror I was aghast. My hair was jet black and so were my eyebrows. I had wanted to leave “just a touch of gray” like I saw in the TV commercials, instead I looked like Roy Orbison or some has-been entertainer working in Vegas or a carnival. In a panic, I decided to wash it out. I dug the instructions out of the trash and felt my heart sink as it said that it cannot be washed out.

Of course everyone who saw me had the laugh of a lifetime even when I threatened them with my most menacing scowl and concerted glare. It actually took a couple of months for it to grow out and I looked like a Catahoula hound with the mange all of the while.

I had a good think about all of this since early this morning and I have come to the conclusion that we older folks should not spurn our old countenance. Instead we should wear it proudly. God has offered some special insight about growing old and we who are “enjoying” it should take note and quit fighting it. We may be losing our youthful looks and yes slowing down a little, but God seems to think we are entering full bloom. If he appreciates it, shouldn’t we?

After reading this verse, give it a good think and ask yourself what color you think God’s hair might be????

Proverbs 16:31
The silver-haired head is a
crown of glory.
It is found in the way of
righteousness.