I hate to admit this but, since attempting to quit consumerism, thehardest part so far has been my hair. I
had it all perfectly planned out; before beginning the challenge I was going to
get it highlighted and cut because that’s something I only do every three
months. I got busy and that idea went
down the drain.
It was time to start the commitment so I took a deep breath, posted the blog, and figured I would just
have my sister Molly give me some grocery store highlights. (My
amazing “before” picture is from my time in Swaziland. My hair was not loving the winter and the
water was out, so I made sure to commemorate the moment with my camera.)
have my sister Molly give me some grocery store highlights. (My
amazing “before” picture is from my time in Swaziland. My hair was not loving the winter and the
water was out, so I made sure to commemorate the moment with my camera.)
About a week into the challenge I realized my hair was going to be a problem! It had been over 4 months since getting it
cut and colored, the winter in Swaziland dried it out and I had some bad roots
(thanks Mom for the premature greys!) It
sounds silly, but I care A LOT about how my hair looks. I wasn’t
always this way; in fact I spent a large chunk of my life not caring at all…
cut and colored, the winter in Swaziland dried it out and I had some bad roots
(thanks Mom for the premature greys!) It
sounds silly, but I care A LOT about how my hair looks. I wasn’t
always this way; in fact I spent a large chunk of my life not caring at all…
Some people go through a slouchy winter or a dowdy stage, but I took
it to the extreme
and went through a frumpy decade, (picture on the left is from 6th or 7th grade.) Living in the Northwest
right after the grunge era didn’t help things. From age 12 – 22 I wore my
hair pulled back almost every day and thought baggy men’s clothing was a figure
flattering choice. My favorite outfit (if you can call it that) in college consisted
of a pair of Men’s XXL overalls and a thrift store long sleeved shirt. I didn’t
do makeup, my ears were not pierced and dressing up was a chore.
it to the extreme
and went through a frumpy decade, (picture on the left is from 6th or 7th grade.) Living in the Northwestright after the grunge era didn’t help things. From age 12 – 22 I wore my
hair pulled back almost every day and thought baggy men’s clothing was a figure
flattering choice. My favorite outfit (if you can call it that) in college consisted
of a pair of Men’s XXL overalls and a thrift store long sleeved shirt. I didn’t
do makeup, my ears were not pierced and dressing up was a chore.
My frump stage was not something I did out of altruistic
motives. I hated the way I looked so my
goal was to spend as little time as possible facing the mirror each day. My confidence was so low I
thought, “Why try to dress nice or look pretty when I’m going to look ugly
no matter what.”
motives. I hated the way I looked so my
goal was to spend as little time as possible facing the mirror each day. My confidence was so low I
thought, “Why try to dress nice or look pretty when I’m going to look ugly
no matter what.”
Thankfully, my best friend Alaina saw through my defenses. One evening, during our senior year of college,
she put her foot down, “Morgan, we are going through your closet, any clothing
item that I can get into with you HAS TO GO!”
Most of my wardrobe didn’t pass that test and went straight to the
Goodwill. We even have pictures of us
together in one of my sweaters. I honestly though the huge fisherman’s knit monstrosity was a great clothing choice. That night, Alaina and I laughed until we cried and something in me released. Over
time God healed my confidence issues and I started to internalize the truth
that I am “fearfully and wonderfully made.” (Psalms 139:14)
she put her foot down, “Morgan, we are going through your closet, any clothing
item that I can get into with you HAS TO GO!”
Most of my wardrobe didn’t pass that test and went straight to the
Goodwill. We even have pictures of us
together in one of my sweaters. I honestly though the huge fisherman’s knit monstrosity was a great clothing choice. That night, Alaina and I laughed until we cried and something in me released. Over
time God healed my confidence issues and I started to internalize the truth
that I am “fearfully and wonderfully made.” (Psalms 139:14)
So, back to my not so good looking hair. I talked with Molly about having her
highlight it and she pointed out the obvious in the way only a sister can,
“Morgan, if you buy the hair color, even from the grocery store, your
cheating.” CRAP! She was right and I was bummed. I asked God to provide something for my hair. I had daydreams about someone taking a look at my roots, deciding to have mercy on me, and gifting me a box of hair dye.
highlight it and she pointed out the obvious in the way only a sister can,
“Morgan, if you buy the hair color, even from the grocery store, your
cheating.” CRAP! She was right and I was bummed. I asked God to provide something for my hair. I had daydreams about someone taking a look at my roots, deciding to have mercy on me, and gifting me a box of hair dye.
Two weekends ago I got to go to the NCCC women’s retreat which, even on my crutches, was
amazing. I had the opportunity to lead a
seminar on conversation and talk to all the women about what’s happening in
Swaziland. The first night of the
retreat I happened to sit next to a hairdresser named Rene. We had a great conversation and I told her about my 90-day challenge to quit consumerism.
amazing. I had the opportunity to lead a
seminar on conversation and talk to all the women about what’s happening in
Swaziland. The first night of the
retreat I happened to sit next to a hairdresser named Rene. We had a great conversation and I told her about my 90-day challenge to quit consumerism.
On the last day of the retreat, right after I shared about
Swaziland, she slipped me a card.
Swaziland, she slipped me a card.
As I read my eyes filled with tears.
God provided for my hair to be done.
It was just a silly want and God blessed me with it. Rene colored my hair, deep conditioned it,
and gave it a great cut. In this season,
I’m realizing that God is not stingy, He is a loving Father who “knows every hair on my head” (Luke 12:7) and wants to bless
me in ways beyond what I can “ask or imagine” (Ephesians 3:20).
God provided for my hair to be done.
It was just a silly want and God blessed me with it. Rene colored my hair, deep conditioned it,
and gave it a great cut. In this season,
I’m realizing that God is not stingy, He is a loving Father who “knows every hair on my head” (Luke 12:7) and wants to bless
me in ways beyond what I can “ask or imagine” (Ephesians 3:20).
My “after” picture =)!
