New Year's Do

Yesterday afternoon, my dad and sister took me to have my hair cut.  It's been needing done.  I have not paid one ounce of attention to my hair for at least 6 months (picture: frump-queen meets frizzy-locks), and having that time just doing something "normal" with my dad and sis was precious.

There was no one else in the salon the whole time, just my dad and sister and I with the stylist, receptionist, and a bored friend of theirs.  

The man who cut my hair was humungous, with a cross tattooed on his cheekbone, sharing with me that all he does is cut hair and lift weights, which was obvious.  His partner was working the front desk, primping over vibrant fushia orchids with "DO NOT TOUCH THE FLOWERS" scrawled on every pot, his obvious true passion.   

The longer I'm a missionary, the more everything just feels like a mission field.  From Studio 9 to mountain village.

The more everyone just seems to be either hurting people or healed people.

The more it just seems like everyone is in a bad way for Jesus.  

And even when I'm just getting my hair cut, and even when I'm on vacation, and even when I'm in way out my comfort zone...I've got Him.   

And you know what?  Those two hours were GREAT.  We six actually had a REALLY good time, lots of really good conversation, lots of laughs, and some holy moments.  

And when the sun was setting and they were closing up shop, the ginormous tattooed man kissed my cheek and thanked ME, of all things.  And as I walked to our car, the foul-mouthed receptionist chased me down, handed me two free bottles of shampoo and asked me to please come back and talk again. 

All it came down to was relationships.  I learned about them, they learned about me, and when we all realized how very different our lives were from each other, I asked them why, and they asked ME why.

So I got to tell them:  He's given me one life, and I've gotta do something with that, and I figure the best thing I can possibly do is give it back to Him by giving it to others, and He helps me and I get to know Him better, so...that's what we do.  

The relationship building made possible at the salon was possible because I was intentional.  I decided to build something with whoever I found there and I did.  

And there's my New Year's Revelation...my New Year's Resolve.  It's all much less complicated than we make it.  I carry far too many excuses.

1) I'm gonna say NO.  I say yes to absolutely everything, and therefore spend 90% of my time doing things that have nothing to do with relationship building or sharing Jesus or discipling my children or loving my husband.  Remind me.  NO.

2) I'm gonna be intentional.  I've got a list of Haitian friends and family who I KNOW are the real deal, KNOW they have the heart of Jesus, KNOW they are the men and women we need to come around and support as they work and minister in Haiti.  And this year, they're going to be my intentional focus.

3) I'm gonna take my chances.  Salon.  Classroom.  Every chance I get.  

He hasn't promised me this year.  Just today.  I'm gonna take it, and give it back.  

HAPPY NEW YEAR, family!