I have rarely been more uncomfortable,
more out of control, more at the mercy of my environment.
I visited the barbershop today, and the
barber greeted me with “Dr. Bill!” And it occurred to me that he didn’t know my
title or my name, though I’ve frequented his shop for a decade. Yet it didn’t
take long to “put two and two together” for he had been lingering outside the
door, and my car tag happens to be my personal monogram. I’ve often thought
that I should be careful how I drive that little Nissan, since the thing has my
brand on its rear end.
But to return to my story. I realized, too
late, that my trusted barber was slurring his words, as he told me that he’d
been sick with the flu. And as he “did the buzz” on my head, this former Navy
Diver made me aware that the military had tried to recall him at the grand old
age of 64. It seems they wanted him to do some underwater operations in the
Euphrates River. Things were getting “scarier and scarier.”
But that was the least of it. The Old Boy
began scalping me. Yes, scalping me. Crazy Horse would have been proud. Talk
about shades of boot camp! Never in a decade had this fella taken so much hair
off a head that had so little to give!
Round and round he went, his hand
trembling, and all the while me thinking that I can’t help but have all manner
of ridges and valleys magically appearing on my poor scalp.
I had asked for a military haircut, but he
had never been this military. And
every time the “buzz saw” circled my head, the length of my hair eroded; til it
could hardly be distinguished from my bald spot.
I wanted to speak, but my tongue clung to
the roof of my mouth. I wanted to shout… “Man, what are you doing?” or “Do you
have those shears on automatic pilot?” Yet, nothing came out of my mouth, and I
sat transfixed, as my hair fell in clumps around me.
Well, friends, I’m second-guessing whether
my barber will remain my barber!
We’ve all been there. Out of control.
Without strength. Helpless. Even hopeless. We find ourselves in circumstances
we are helpless to do anything about.
And though the previous illustration is more humorous than hopeless, it is
an adequate example of our seeming inability to control our environment. We
find ourselves in the most challenging circumstances; though the day may have
begun with sunlight and a song.
It is comforting to know that our Lord was
already there before we got there; already aware that we would pass through
valleys and climb over mountains.
So the next time your barber “goes on the
warpath” or something a little more serious, and significant happens, remember
that God never shakes His head in surprise, that you are ever in His thoughts,
and that “He cares for you.”
“Casting all your cares upon Him, for He
cares for you.” (1st Peter 5:7, KJV)
By William McDonald, PhD. Excerpt from "Musings." Copyright 2010.
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