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Friday, April 13, 2007

Shake Shake Shake

Is it possible to have an entire week of bad hair days? I mean seven consecutive days of follicle revolt? Last week the part in my hair crossed over to the dark side. Literally. The top of my head looked like a dark river ran through it. Even my geriatric Dalmatian with cataracts could see I needed color. He barked at me as an unrecognized intruder last Thursday.

But this story is not about my bad hair week. This story is about what happened during my color weave at the salon. For those of you who have never experienced a foil color weave, let me just share this. You pray a thunder storm is not brewing overhead for fear of a lighting strike.

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A warm greeting, a hug and into the chair I go. For the next 45 minutes my stylist colors and weaves foil through my hair while we talk incessantly. We cover all the hot topics such as Dancing with the Stars, the book The Secret (don’t get me going on this. Fodder for another post), husbands, marriage and finally we move to matters of faith. We chat about her children and her husband’s faith.

She pronounces me ready for the dryer. I rise from the chair, the black cape swirling around my ankles, head full of foil and walk to the hair dryer. Color works faster under heat.

She shoves a magazine in my hand, turns on the dryer and walks away. I read, glance around at the other patrons. I love to watch people. Just two minutes pass when she returns wearing a serious look on her face. She sits close to me in the adjacent chair, apprehension oozing. I could tell something is burning in her mind.

I hold up the magazine to shield our whispered conversation. “What is it?”

She stares seriously at me, hesitates then whispers quickly, “Is it true that when you sneeze you breathe in Satan.” My eyebrows shoot up. I cannot fathom why she would believe such a thing. I smile warmly and gently shake my head, “No, it is not true.”

I can see her shoulders relax; her serious look is replaced with relief. She jumps up and walks into the other room leaving me puzzling under the dryer.

Because of her covert questioning I realize this odd rumor is currently circulating among the stylists in the shop. I am amazed to think these intelligent, adult women believe such nonsense.

That is when it happens. I am struck by lightning. Not because of the foil in my hair. A spiritual lightning bolt hits home. I hear God whisper, “These women are greatly deceived about many things. They need salt and light.”

Shake, shake, shake. We are the salt shakers. He is the salt. Only through shaking out truth can we bring light to a dark world. So many people live in fear, believing half-truths or outright lies. They desperately don’t want to be afraid but they are. Christ’s followers know the truth and can set men and women free. Free from fear!

I am thankful I had the courage to discuss my faith over the last several months with my stylist. It opened a door for light to shine on deception….. Satan in a sneeze for crying-out-loud!

Jesus is salt and light. He illuminates deception. We need only be available, He will do the rest. Amazing!


Salt and Light
Matthew 5:13"You are the salt of the earth. But if the salt loses its saltiness, how can it be made salty again? It is no longer good for anything, except to be thrown out and trampled by men.

14"You are the light of the world. A city on a hill cannot be hidden. 15Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl. Instead they put it on its stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house. 16In the same way, let your light shine before men, that they may see your good deeds and praise your Father in heaven.


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15 Comments:

Blogger Denise said...

Sister, you speak the truth. But, you also crack me up, thanks for being a blessing.

April 13, 2007 at 12:44 AM  
Blogger Lori said...

Lynn, I laugh at that. But in a sad sort of way, I am reminded of the little lies I believe. Lies that Satan quietly repeats in my ear over and over "you are not worhty", "who are you to speak about God", "you are just a mother what do you know" (oh sweet sister I could list a page worth).

So as I laugh at Satan in a sneeze, I cry at what I in the past have believed. He is not called the deciever for nothing.

Great post Lynn!!

April 13, 2007 at 7:50 AM  
Blogger Lisa @ The Preacher's Wife said...

How wonderful that you were your stylist's 'Go To' Girl for an answer on something spiritual. It always makes me breathe a 'thank you' when women I know are not believers have a problem or question and they think, "Hmm..I'll ask Lisa".

Wow, what greater privilege and responsiblity to be 'ready to explain the hope within us'. This was a great story and prime example of that concept.

BTW - How cool to be used of Jesus and get great hair all at the same time!! He makes us beautiful doesn't He?? :))

April 13, 2007 at 8:32 AM  
Blogger 2nd Cup of Coffee said...

First of all, I had to scroll to the bottom after the first two paragraphs to see who wrote this because it was so full of personality! I was not surprised to see your name. Secondly, I immedately heard KC and the Sunshine Band, "Shake, shake, shake ... shake, shake, shake ...." to which I caught myself and quickly substituted "spiritual salt shaker," for "bootie." Thirdly, if sneezing were about this, I would be in big trouble because I have 24-allergies! Fouthly, I am proud of you being open and approachable enough for her to ask you about it. You are doing the walk the right way. But instead of the Go-Go's "Walk Like an Egyptian," I'm hearing, "Walk Like a Real Christian!" You are great influencer for Christ!

April 13, 2007 at 8:45 AM  
Blogger Laurie said...

Lynn..I have tears in my eyes. Only because I know the power of the lightning bolt that has come through God's blessing you. You bless my socks off sister!!! I am so exited and in anticipation each time you write, but more because of the anticipation of a work he is doing in the body of Christ around you. The woman you have touched here and the woman you will have an influence on in your church and neighborhood. I know God loves you much...He made sure that your hair color didn't just come out great(which it did),...but the reflection of His light in you is glowing from the top of your head and emanating through your whole being!
I am so honored to be your friend..
I love you much,
Laurie

April 13, 2007 at 11:19 AM  
Blogger Connie Barris said...

ok.. NOT to sound like Linda or Laurel... but I had a similiar experience reading this...

however, my shake shake shake was the shake and bake commercial.. that is sick.

and Laurel is right,, Satan is ever lurking in the beauty to remind us of our complete unworthiness--ALL lies...

Lynn, great words spoken...

Now when I add salt to my food, I will remember this analogy..

Blessings...
Connie

April 13, 2007 at 2:23 PM  
Blogger Christine said...

It's amazing how God uses us if we just open ourselves up to the opportunities around us! Wonderful application of the scripture. Hope your roots are perfect!! ;)

April 13, 2007 at 3:12 PM  
Blogger Darlene Schacht said...

Like Linda, I scrolled down too after I started reading--great writing!

I love it when I hear that this world is getting seasoned. She obviously trusts your faith if she asked you that. Way to go, Spice Girl!

April 13, 2007 at 3:17 PM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

wonderful true life story
I pray that you will get more opportunuties to share with this group of ladies

April 13, 2007 at 6:13 PM  
Blogger Crystal said...

Wow what an amazing opportunity to share....great story too...Thanks for the reminder that we are all salt in a very dark world...by the way I would like to read a post written by you on "the secret" or maybe a rant I should say :o))....I have some strong views on it and ranted on it a while back on my post....but this stuff is popping up in our church and believers are passing this stuff around...talk about frustrating!
Thanks for sharing!
Blessings

April 13, 2007 at 7:24 PM  
Blogger Chris @ Come to the Table said...

What a great reminder to us to let our light shine everywhere. I don't know how many chairs I have sat in and never said anything because I was tired or just wanted to check out. Thanks for reminding me of what God may do if I am willing to be the salt and light.

April 13, 2007 at 9:51 PM  
Blogger Terri | Sugar Free Glow said...

It is not surprising to me at all that you are a beacon of light to many people in real life, just like you are online! Funny post and very powerful!

I just blogged about The Secret.

I'll always think of this post when I see a salt shaker!

April 14, 2007 at 3:59 PM  
Blogger eph2810 said...

Oh my - 'Satan enters when you sneeze'...I know that I have believed his lies in my life too, but that? No, not yet.

BTW - I have heard about "The Secret" the first time today (Saturday)...

Thank you so much for sharing your thoughts on being His salt and light...

April 14, 2007 at 6:15 PM  
Blogger Cyndi said...

Yes! I agree with everyone else, I'm so glad you were there to be the "salt" she needed. Satan-sneezes, oh my! Oh how so many women are being deceived by hollow teaching.

And, oh, the hair. Seven bad hair days in a row does make one weak. Glad you got to the "root" of the problem, LOL.

;)

April 17, 2007 at 9:12 PM  
Blogger Dineen A. Miller said...

Wow, I didn't think that old medieval belief still hung around. That's where we get the custom of saying "God bless you" when someone sneezes. They thought Satan did enter you when you sneezed and that purged him out. That was the original reason behind washing vegetables from the garden as well, to wash away the demons before consumption. I'm just floored the enemy has managed to keep that one around. And I'm sooooooo glad you were there for your friend. Praying it will open more opportunities for you to share with those ladies. :-)

April 18, 2007 at 12:51 PM  

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