The first time Birkleigh cut my hair on the
Race, I warned her, “I’m a chia pet.“ It seemed like my hair was growing at an abnormal rate,
though I guess that’s typical of short hair.
About 2.5 months ago, I visited my dear
friend Lindsay in Seattle. While I
was there, we spontaneously decided I should get my hair cut again. So I did. 20 minutes after walking into Rudy’s Barbershop and
requesting a faux hawk, I left with this haircut.
It was shorter than what I first envisioned, but it was
necessary so it could grow into what I wanted.
2.5 months later, it looks like this.
The faux hawk didn’t last very long. I barely even made a dent in my gel before
it was too long to spike up.
Lately I’ve realized that the physical growth
of my hair is a great representation of the spiritual and emotional growth of
my life.
When I moved down to Georgia, I didn’t have
any clue what I was getting myself into.
There was really no reason for moving down here other than I felt like I
was supposed to. I was excited to
be in community again, but part of me thought the majority of my growth had
already happened while I was on the Race.
And I mean, I wouldn’t have necessarily been disappointed with
that. I really did grow a
lot on the Race. But I’m glad it
didn’t stop there. I’m glad it was
only the beginning.
Since moving to Georgia, I’ve grown leaps and
bounds. Sometimes I can’t help but
smile or cry at the person I am today.
I remember one of the first days of the Race asking my team to be
patient and have grace with me as I started tearing down walls and pressing
into who Daina really was.
I wore a mask for so long in my life that I didn’t even know who I
was anymore. The Race was great for
starting that process of transformation, for opening my eyes to my real beauty
and worth. But honestly, Georgia has
been even better for that.
In the past 4 weeks especially, I feel like
the Lord has flipped my life upside down…in a good way. He’s renewed my mind and solidified my
identity. He’s granted me courage
and entrusted me with great responsibility. I can honestly say that I’m not the same person I was at the
end of 2010…and it’s only been a month!
Just this past week a coworker was telling me
how much she likes having me around–that I don’t let my day be dictated by the
rollercoaster of emotions often found in the exciting world of Admissions. She said I walk with a confidence and
that I bring peace to the office. As
she said these words, I couldn’t help but laugh inside.
Me? Not ruled by
emotions? When did that happen?!
The only thing that makes me smile more than
reflecting on these moments is knowing there are more to come.
Thank you Lord for making me a chia pet, for watering both my head and
my heart in this incredibly fruitful season. May I continue to be an open vessel and radiate with joy at the mere thought of looking more like you.
