Blue Hair
I was connecting with the grands as we watched an WNBA game. That’s right, we have Caitlin Clark fans and she was amazing. In the midst of it, I took note of the many things in this world that had changed. No longer are sports like those of yesteryear. The rules are the same but the fanfare on parade is quite the deal in this star-studded event. I tend to see things from the heart of a grandma, and that evening was no different.
Keeping my thoughts to myself, I was disheartened. On display were tougher attitudes and a tougher persona upon the court. Yet, at the same time, the toughness shown also brought with it an attitude of strength—sort of balancing things out. The star of the game was focused—and for this I was most grateful. However, there were other factors upon the court. The lashes, the make-up, the “dippity-do” upon the hair that I thought had long gone out of style. Emerging into the camera lens were varying colors of hair to boot. Outstanding was one aqua blue head of hair gathering looks from the onlookers. As the unfamiliar appeared to be the norm, I kept silent.
After dropping the grands off at their sports practice the following day, I decided to enter into much needed quiet time. A little later, I was inspired to make a purchase at a nearby coffee shop. Attempting to pay for the goods, I took out a gift certificate that had been lying in wait. As the waitress ran the card, she loudly proclaimed, “You are seventy-eight cents short!”
Before I could grab my billfold, a voice from behind spoke just as loudly. “I’ve got it! I’ve got it! I’ll get this for you!”
It took mere seconds to register what was happening, and as I turned to thank the woman who was so quick to come to my aid, the lesson before me was not lost on me. As she reached to hand a dollar from her pocket to the cashier—covering my cost, there she stood—blue hair and all!
Yes, Lord, I caught exactly what it was you were passing my way.
What did He pass my way? His Word says He chastises those whom He loves (Heb. 12:6). So, did I feel shamed? Did I feel put in my place? Did I feel admonished? No—not one of those did I feel. What did I feel? I felt His deep compassionate reassurance—reassuring me that He has this. He has this world (which looks so strangely unfamiliar to grandma) right in the palm of His hands. He assures me His glorious hand is in it all, for all, once and for all. And what’s more, He knows all, thus, I need not.
He loves us where we are—including grandmas who might be unfamiliar with the things of this world. Isaiah 43:19 reminds us He is making all things new and then goes on to ask, “Do you not perceive it?” We can honestly say that we sometimes do not. Isaiah 55:8-9 confirms, “As the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts.” Both now and forever it is so because He said so. Amen.