May I Leave My Hair Alone

March 20, 2025

Chaplain LaVina “Viny” Burns

Well, I did it again. You more than likely do not know my hair history, but I really hate doing hair. I believe God has given hair stylist, that can deal with people like me and still make me look presentable. However, I don’t always get to my awesome gal until it is too late. She knows that when I call she will have a mess to deal with. For instance, if I cannot curl my hair like I think it should be, I cut it myself (NOT a good idea)!! Then poor Suzanne must cut a bit shorter just to correct the mess!

A few weeks ago, I said to my granddaughter, “I think my hair needs some color to it.” Her response was, “Grandma, please do not turn your hair red.” I assured her that I never do that on purpose but asked for her suggestion. She thought maybe a medium brown would do the trick. After purchasing, I spoke with a friend, Cindy, that I learned had been a hair stylist for many years. She said, “Viny, DO NOT just put brown on. It will not look right.” I took in what she said!

Then this morning, I thought, “We have so many appointments in Huntsville and Birmingham that I cannot go looking like this. I questioned, “How bad can it be if I used what I bought – Medium Brown.” Aaaaahhhhh!!! I did it! YES – against all advice, I did what I thought was best for me in my moment. I put the color in my hair and let it sit for the 30 min the box told me. I went quickly to get into the shower to rinse it off when I looked over in the mirror and screamed! What had I done??? It was dark, dark, OK – really dark! No Medium Brown about it. I jumped into the shower to rinse it off and even used shampoo thinking that would take away some of the color! NOPE!! Later in the day I thought, “If I cut my hair a bit, I could take some of it away.” NOPE!! So, I went to the kitchen sink and re-washed it with shampoo. NOPE I really think it got darker! LOL

We got into Florence around 5 and went to Logan’s to eat. One of our waitresses, that we love, looked over and saw my hair so she had to come ask about it. I apologized and she graciously said, “No, it makes you look younger.” LOL Again, I chuckled. ALL this because I did that which was right in my own eyes.

The Bible has much to say about us doing our own thing. Time and again we are admonished not only to take counsel, but to heed to it. I had great counsel from a hair stylist of many years. Yet here I sit with dark brown hair that makes me look like I am wearing a bad wig or just having a bad hair day! Oh NO!

It seems to me that I need to begin to take counsel to heart and learn to follow those individuals that can speak with wisdom and knowledge and do what they advise. However, WARNING – make sure you are taking advice from the ones that are giving Godly counsel or counsel because they know what they are doing!

Psalm 28:3 “Blessed is the man Who walks not in the counsel of the ungodly...”

Psalm 1:1-3, “1) Blessed is the man that walketh not in the counsel of the ungodly, nor standeth in the way of sinners, nor sitteth in the seat of the scornful.

2) But his delight is in the law of the LORD; and in his law doth he meditate day and night.

3) And he shall be like a tree planted by the rivers of water, that bringeth forth his fruit in his season; his leaf also shall not wither; and whatsoever he doeth shall prosper.”

Lord Jesus, help me to learn not just to hear advice, but to do it! That includes others that I may share the love of Jesus with. May they follow the encouragement to give their life to Jesus. May they too listen and do what God has laid before them in their life. And Lord, please help me to leave my hair alone except to comb it daily! LOL