Bad Hair Day

When I need a big shot of caffeine, I reach for this mug. You might not guess from the picture, but it holds two large mugs of coffee (or whatever) -- and…it’s fun!

If I think I’m having a bad hair day, I just look at the mug.

Today, this picture made me think about how others see me. Do they see the bad hair – or the smile? Waaaay too often, it’s the bad hair because the smile isn’t there.

A number of years ago, I taught Life Skills and Career Planning for women in transition. Each time we covered job search techniques, one question was inevitable: “What should I wear to a job interview?”

I remember discussing the benefits of a ‘blue power suit’ but I always stressed that the best thing you can wear to an interview is a smile.

Proverbs 15:13a says, “A happy heart makes the face cheerful...”

It's true, if my heart is happy, it shows on my face. But I think it works well the other way, too.

Putting a smile on my face encourages a happy heart. I feel happy because my face says I am. And I’m pretty sure it makes for a better hair day, too!

The Look

Last weekend, I caught a tiny bit of the pre-Oscar hoopla. “Who are you wearing?” was the buzz-line as the rich and famous strutted their stuff on the red carpet. The flash bulbs popped and the crowd ‘ooohed’ and ‘aaawed’. Now, please don’t get me wrong – I like fashion as much as anyone – but this was over the top.

I thought about some of the getups I wear – especially for chores. What about my little Wind River number – a cinnamon brown, very earthy, yet with a the right accessories, it works! And what about the basic navy ski pants (with that divine little tear from an honest-to-goodness barbed wire fence!) – well they are just darling!

But the entire look wouldn’t be complete without the snow boots – still within those earthy tones in forest green. They just scream ‘look at me.’ If I have to run from a mean cow, I’m finished – but at least I’ll go down with the ‘right look’.

Everyone on the red carpet knows that accessories are everything. Today, I’ll choose a splash of colour with the 1971 vintage red hand-knit toque (a birthday gift from my sister). It’s made the rounds – me, mom, nieces/nephews, and now back to me. When I pull that toque on, I know it completes my look; and if Fashion Television ever wants to feature my kind of fashion, I’ll be ready. (But don’t hold your breath!)

The Bible has some great advice for us on the topic of clothes:

And why do you worry about clothes? See how the lilies of the field grow. They do not labour or spin. Yet I tell you that not even Solomon in all his splendor was dressed like one of these. If that is how God clothes the grass of the field, which is here today and tomorrow is thrown into the fire, will he not much more clothe you, O you of little faith. So do not worry, saying, ‘What shall we eat?’ or ‘What shall we drink?’ or ‘What shall we wear?’ for the pagans run after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them. But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well. (Matthew 6:28-33)

“Father, when we are tempted to worry about how we look, remind us about the lilies and your care. It’s not about how we look; it’s about whom we look to…”

Taller and Thinner

November 17, 2008

Taller and Thinner

Not long ago, my friend Debbie shared a great story about one of her neighbours. She picked up her ringing phone late one autumn afternoon and heard her neighbour saying, “Quick – go outside right now. The sun is in a great place and the shadows are really long. You’ll never be as tall or as thin as right now! Go look!”

I love that story. I love that neighbour. How cool was that? I’ve been waiting for the sun to be ‘just right’ since Debbie told me that story. And last Saturday was the time. I grabbed my camera and caught it on film. Here’s the proof!

I don’t know a woman who isn’t affected by society’s obsession with the ‘perfect’ body type. It’s really hard; we’re bombarded with it on a daily basis.

I found a good reminder in Proverbs 31: 30:
Charm is deceptive, and beauty is fleeting;
but a woman who fears the Lord is to be praised.


Father, help us to remember that you look
beyond our outward appearance.
You know our hearts.
Our beauty rests in You.