Ok, so I just have a second. I’m at the hair salon in the mall on their wifi and I just met a woman – well past her twenties – that had never had one ounce of color on her hair. We visited a few minutes before we got summoned to our hairdressers and I learned that she and her man were in ministry. She was a darling thing. Interesting. Fun. Clearly loved Jesus. We hadn’t talked hair yet. After all, we are women with our priorities straight. Then we met up back in the color section of the salon where my hair already had enough foil in it to bring in every radio station in North America. That’s when she said it. “This is the first time I’ve ever gotten color.” I was nearly speechless. I nearly broke my neck turning around to look at her. To make sure she’d said what I thought she’d said. The color specialists were aghast at the confession. Shamed maybe. Kinda like, “Some things shouldn’t be said in public.” You could have heard a hair pin drop.
“What did you say?” I broke the awkward silence.
“I’ve never done this before. I’m trying my first highlights.”
For the life of me, I could not think of a single other person I knew of reasonable age who had never doused her head in a tad of tint. I had all manner of questions. Something in me demanded to know why but something else in me felt protective of her. She looked so innocent. So naive. So new. And I was proud. So very proud.
“Your first highlights!” I exclaimed. “You’re doing the right thing!”
And there was bonding.
She came by and showed me later, after it was all blown dry and styled. I looked through the stringy strands of my dripping hair and beheld a vision. Subtle but definitely a start. More bonding. As she walked away, I sat in the chair, blow dryer thundering in my ear, and sighed with deep satisfaction, so thankful I’d gotten my own roots done.
It was a beautiful thing.
Tags: Hair
Well, I’m 37 and I have 6 strands of gray on my left temple and 5 strands on the right. I’m kind of proud of my gray, but then…it’s not too noticable now. My problem is how I will cut my hair when I finally decide to cut it (I’ve decided that would be when I am 40…I have hair seperation anxiety I must work through first). My pastors wife cuts it every couple months to keep it from getting too straggly. My sister is in her 40’s and just got her first highlights done…woo scary…I don’t know…I think I would have to change my wardrobe to go with my hairstyle.
ROFL. I live in the Pacific Northwest and honestly, it just isn’t as common here. Well… there are plenty of jet blacks with red, blue, etc stripes… or funky colored tips… or henna dyes… or other combinations equally suited to the NW’s emo/goth/hippie-nouveau scene.
I’ve colored my hair before, but only because I wanted a change. I like my hair color (dk brown with a hint of red and blonde) and the sun gives it natural highlights.
I’m 30 years old and I haven’t a single grey hair. Trust me. I’ve looked long and hard, and so have many others.
You “Gal’s” are too funny… As I praise the Lord for the 46 years {for today is my birthday} he has blessed me with and too having a few strands of wisdom of my own which are now working their way through my chestnut brown curls of glory, colored, tinted and glazed by Lord God Almighty, occupation: Creator of Heaven and Earth.
Blessings and Joy,
Debby Ann
Hey Beth – I just had to give you a quick shout out – not about hair, I did that yesterday.
Last Friday I, and a group of girlfriends, started the Psalms of Ascent study. You were so adamant in the first video about getting on our faces to meet with the Lord each day of study. Well this morning, while my twelve year old son was out on our lake ice fishing, I decided to do Bible study (while sitting in my warm, toasty SUV) so I could be out with him. Then I remembered your directive. I looked at the ice. It looked awfully cold. I reflected on the fact that I am not “with child” (in the Biblical sense); I almost wished I was so I’d have a good excuse to stay upright in the driver’s seat. But I’ll have you, and every other siesta in Siestaville, know that I opened up the door to my warm vehicle and laid myself flat out on the frozen ice of Finger Lake. I must say, it was an awfully quick prayer!
Having a fun day catching fish (and reading about my beloved Fisherman King),
Warm (most of the time) in Alaska.
You crack me up. I love my hilights. I used to say I’d never get them…boy, what was I thinking?! 🙂
Jean
Oh…have to tell you this. I am not one to recognize when someone gets their hair done…sorry to say…I try. Not only that, but I am not one to recognize someone WHEN they get their hair done. When people make changes to themself…I don’t know who they are anymore.
I worked with a friend of mine for 7 years…close working together…like side by side close…AND we ski & board together on the weekends. So, we now work in the same office, but in separate areas…well, she decided to get her hair done and we were meeting for lunch…I got on the elevator and some stranger started talking to me and I just stared at her ’cause I wasn’t sure how to talk to this person I didn’t know…it was my friend! I didn’t know it until she said “WHAT is the matter with you.”
It happened again last Thursday at a banquet…one of my close friends called me afterward and asked if I was upset with her because I didn’t speak with her at a banquent we went to. She sat at the table next to me and I didn’t see her…I saw someone in the brown suit she described, but I didn’t see my friend…she changed her hair…I must have said sorry a hundred times!
I know the feeling pay day is tommorrow roots have to be redone. Also the ever grateful eyewaxing and lip waxing. It’s just harder on us brunettes to cover up the grey LOL!
That is too funny! I’ve never gotten highlights, either. I’ve always toyed with the idea, but I’m too chicken. I guess I’m afraid it’ll come out badly or make me look even more white or something. 🙂
I got my first highlights when I was 12! Haa haa! I love when Jesus bonds us beautiful women together in the simplest ways..Oh, He knows…He knows what we are made of and how are heart beats..I mean come on’ He’s the Creator of Beauty! 🙂 Haa haa! I love it!
I’m 54 & used to color my hair. But I decided to stop that “fun” & let the “silver” shine through!It’s a freeing thing not to worry about “roots” showing!I want my granddaughter to know it’s ok. to have silver hair, smile lines,and soft, loose skin(her words at one point.)! I love your Bible studies, Beth & watch you faithfully on Life Today!
Beth,
I’ve been praying for you today as you mourn the loss of a special friend. I look forward to seeing your hair this weekend in Jax!!
Okay – I’m 31 and haven’t had any highlights yet. However, I am dark-headed like my father. Actually, like my father WAS! I think that you could describe his current color as Betty-White-WHITE. So, I’m sure that it won’t be long before I have to do something to hide those crazy greys. (I think that it might be fine if they were just content to lay down and not grow like corkscrews).
Funny story – My husband is a youth minister and his father sometimes visits us and comes to the service. My father-in-law colors his hair raven-black, way-Way-WAY too often. It turns out this awful Superman Black (you know, the black-with-blue-sheen). When we were first at this church, a woman came up to me and said that she thought it was so sweet for MY father to come and visit us. I told her that it was indeed sweet, but that it was my father-in-law. She responded that we looked so much alike, since we had the same hair color. UGH!!! My facial expression must have portrayed more than I would have wished. She gave me a puzzled look and I let her know that my husband’s two sisters had just voted to have ME talk to my father-in-law about switching to a nice brown. This gal and I laughed and laughed until others in the church were annoyed. Odd bonding experience, but she and I are now close friends…and five years later, my father-in-law is still sporting his raven-black mane. Oh, well!
Needed this touch of hilarity today! Thank you!
From a wish-there-was-global-warming-in-Toronto siesta…
I’m almost embarassed to admit that at 43, I have never had my hair colored. I do have several “platinum blonde” hairs and my daughter says that she will tell me when it’s time to do the deed.
I laughed out loud! I have never colored my hair, but I know I will when I start seeing gray! 🙂
TOTALLY color my hair…I bless the LORD for the creativity and intelligence that He provided for someone to design this process. He is good and His mercy is everlasting: oh that my color was! 🙂
I can’t imagine life without hair color! Of course this is coming from someone with pink streaks in my hair. I’ve had my hair colored so many times I really have no idea what color my hair actually is. Well, I have an idea but I’m not sure. It used to be blonde. Once I grew it out and it was brown and the next time blonde again, so who knows.
I got my first color at 43. I don’t do it much, but more and more of my hair is growing…albino. (I love that terminology.) I foresee many more visits to my friend, the albino magician!
Sun-in? How about lemon juice?? anybody try that? 🙂
I’d hate to think what my hair budget is a year. Between cuts, hilights, mousse, shampoo, hairspray…eeks! Gotta have it though. I love me some hilights.
Goodness–I started getting grays in high school….love that my hair is black and I can do it myself with a box from Target. How about that for true-est confessions? I’m only 37 and I think I look like a skunk if I go too long without doing my roots…BTW, doing your “Stepping Up” study–LOVE that us Christian Siesta’s can be SIDE-by-SIDE from anywhere from the colorist chair to the pit of despair and back again! XOXOXOXOXO
I’m 49 and sitting at home watching the clock coloring my hair right now!!
Found you on Life Today, weds, and I’m so pleased. I live in Oregon and watch on Direct TV channel 376. I say all this because I was looking for Life Today and the show is listed under the hosts name, James Robison instead. Hope that helps others find your teaching.
Okay time to rinse.
God Bless you Beth
Erin
I need to get my highlights done. As a born redhead I get asked by people who’ve known me since forever, “Wasn’t your hair redder once?” Now that is not a very nice thing to ask; I don’t care how long you’ve known me! 🙂 Anyway, a little copper here, a little blond there goes a long way to making me feel pretty. 🙂
Honey Child ! Had hair coloring not been invented I would have invented it myself. I go from Blonde to red and then something in between and then back to the blonde again. I’ve done the red twice now and I might stay with that for a while. My beautician loves me. CINDY in High Point, NC
Colour virgin here as well… I’d never be on top of it all as well as you… I only get around to cutting it every four or five months as it is! That’s what being outside in the summer is for… 🙂
My comment will prove that it takes all kinds to make the world go ’round.
I’m 62, never colored my hair (it stayed dark brown until the past few years), but don’t plan to. I actually LIKE the gray! It’s a good thing, too, because I’m much too cheap and much too lazy to mess with it. My husband is younger than I am but looks older, so my motivation is nil.
That doesn’t mean I don’t absolutely LOVE your hair schtick. I crack up with the rest and best of your loving following.
Don’t you hate it when all of a sudden you have a new hair that sticks straight up and is highlighted all the way to the root despite the other blond colored hairs who don’t show themselves until down around an inch from your head. Yes…after careful investigation you know it’s a GRAY hair with a mind of it’s own. After plucking it out of my head, I get myself right in to see my “hair girl.” (She keeps me young)
Yipes. I’ve been coloring and/or highlighting for quite a while. Those pesky grays seem to get wilder every year after 40 that I admit to. I’ve been everything from very pale blonde to chocolatey brown to even a wonderful aubergine that only I appreciated. I am not even really sure what my “real” hair color is anymore.
Between my 16 year old daughter and myself, I figure we keep our hairdresser living in high style.
I am hopelessly addicted to coloring my hair. I’m 47 and don’t have a single grey hair, so I wonder often why I bother. I think it is because I can. My friend however, is still in her 30’s she has a lot of grey hair and as of yet has never colored her hair. I wonder why. Maybe because she can?
Beth, you inspire me!
Donna
forthesakeofone.com
Beth,
I am 43 & been coloring my hair since high school!Dark then light then dark then light! I feel better as a blonde!
More importantly, 12 plus a few we pickup in Jacksonville are making our way to hear your message tomorrow night! We are from Davidson NC ! We all think you are awesome and that you have the HOLY SPIRIT just oozing out of ya! (that’s a good thing) Well , during your time Friday night Davidson College is playing in the Sweet 16 tourney-How about a shout out for Davidson ! We will be pulling for you and the praise team and the Davidson team tomorrow night! We hope to all be in Davidson RED right near the front to bring God praise and glory!
I am sure your hair looks awesome and your tan for jacksonville does too!
BLESS YOU and your team as you deliver the message!
Please come to Charlotte NC soon! I am ready to see that arena sold out to lead more to CHRIST!
Peace,
Susie K Phillips
That’s quite funny! I am 37 and only two years ago had my hair highlighted for the first time and haven’t done it since. Not that I didn’t like it, I just thought it was too much trouble. Plus, it was free the first time…call me cheap. Grey hairs are starting to appear in abundance…maybe it’s time to think about it again! Actually, to be truthful, when I was in 9th grade I used something called “Sun-in” and it turned my hair a nice almost-Bozo-the-clown orange. I don’t think that counts though.
I’m 27 and have never had my hair colored…I guess I’ve just always like my hair color and never wanted to change it…although I do get curious from time to time what it would look like with a bit of blonde or red in it (my hair is very dark brown). You make me laugh so hard Beth!
I read this yesterday and just smiled. How you do make me smile. I didn’t get a chance to comment, because my hubby was sitting with me while I was blogging. I think he likes to get a fresh word from Beth as well. But I just wanted to say that I am in dire need of some highlights as well, I need to get myself an appointment. Thanks for being you.
I am 24 and have been having my hair colored and highlighted since I was in high school. I have my dad’s very gray hair genes to thank for it! My mom found my first gray when I was in second or third grade and they have only multiplied since then. Now I am about a third to a half gray. At 24, that is just way too much gray!!! So, colored it is. My natural color with wonderful highlights just minus all the gray! Yay for my great hair dresser who always makes my hair color look good!!!
Okay, 2 weeks ago I had my hair CUT and HIGHLIGHTED for the first time in 10 years! I cut it myself in college due to lack of funds, and just never gave up the habit. As a mother of 2 toddlers, it felt so good to be pampered for 3 straight hours. Aaah.
Thanks for making me laugh. I too have chemically dependent hair. I started going gray at 18, but I love playing with the color. My husband is the best husband in the world because he actually applies the color to my roots every 6 weeks. What a man! He doesn’t like for me to tell his friends, but I don’t think any of his friends read this blog.
LOL! I should show this to my hubby so he can see that it’s OK to spend money on highlights!! 😉 (Haven’t been able to afford them in over 3 years–since before I started grad school and met him! And oh how I miss how they “brighten up my whole head,” as my best girlfriend says.
Oh my goodness Beth! I really needed a good laugh tonight!! Thanks dahling for being so YOU!!! I love it!
Such a timely subject. Not too long ago I was taking a good long look at my 44 year old self in the mirror. I was sad to see that I had not inherited my mother’s lovely complexion and have more wrinkles now that she does in her 60’s. I choose to comfort myself by noticing that I am not nearly as gray as she was at my age. Fast forward a couple of weeks…due to a full ministry schedule and a not so full budget I was long overdue for a salon appointment. I stood infront of the mirror sectioning off portions of hair for the flat iron. Horror or horrors I could see my inch long roots and -gasp- they were grayer than my moms at the same age. You know what they say…Pride cometh before an emergency trip to the hair dresser!
lol ~Michelle in Idaho…can’t wait to see you here in May!!!
I turned 50 on March 13th and have never colored or highlighted my hair. Fortunately, not too much gray is showing but my time is coming, i can tell!
OK… where did the quote come from? My guess would be “Steele Magnolias”
I must tell you that I have had some enhancements made to my hair but after our son was diagnosted with a glioblastoma brain tumor last summer–this seemed so unimportant…I can have a hair appointment or decide that I can wait a week or so….Things that at one time seemed to be important can suddently seem so un-important..I have been responding with Amanda and she has been such a source of prayer & strength…I pray that all of you NEVER have to go through this….it has now been 10 months…our son is now on a clinical trial program at Duke Medical Clinic–PLEASE, PLEASE Pray for Mick…this is such a valley of Baca BUT I do Know that we are designed to WALK THROUGH The Valley of Baca and By Faith Mick was HEALED by the stripes of Jesus…I have found that not many people REALLY BELIEVE in the healing power of Jesus; we say we do but do we really believe it is for us today??? WE know it is REAL!!!….We claim it in JESUS name…This may seem so un-important to many but to my husband & I and our family, this is REAL….Jesus is the same today, yesterday, today and FOREVER…..HE STILL IS IN THE HEALING BUSINESS….FOREVER I WILL PRAISE HIM FOR VICTORY AND WANT YOU ALL TO KNOW HOW MUCH I APPRECIATE YOUR PRAYERS AND I WILL LET YOU KNOW WHEN THIS MANIFESTATION OF COMPLETION IS KNOWN AND WE CAN ALL “SHOUT TO THE GLORY OF GOD” FOR THE MANIFESTATION OF HIS POWER…..
Blessings, Nancy
Well, I’m thirty-three and have never done anything with my hair either. Most people don’t believe me, but it’s TRUE! I keep thinking the older I get, I should do something…but I’m not sure I need to yet….:o)
Hi there, Miss Beth,
It must have been the Lord who told you to write this little story today…
Why do I “say” this? Because, it actually caused me to giggle a little bit, during a time of deep sadness in my life. As my family and I had to give my dear Daddy to Jesus this past Monday afternoon, and his visitation and funeral are scheduled for tomorrow [Friday] and Saturday.
Thank you…
In Christ’s Love,
Jennifer O.
Southern Wisconsin
I am 42 and my hair hasn’t ever been colored either. And, sorry, but I do have gray and I love it! ;0)
On a more serious note:
If you think about it, would you offer up prayers for us and our small community. At noon, 5 sophmore girls were in a car, apparently trying to beat a semi across an intersection. All 5 of them were killed. This has our community, truly in a whirl. May God be seen in this, and that these families come to know that He is good. It will take time, and there are no words in our humaness at this point, but we both know prayer is the answer.
Thanks!
I’ve cried buckets 3,000 plus miles away on vacation on Maui. But…..when I get home, I will wrap my arms around those that will allow me to do so.
I just was noticing how fast my little gray friends are showing up these days. I have never had any color (I am 33.) I mentioned this to my husband, who is adament that I should never color. His co-worker sent me this scripture:
Gray hair is a crown of splendor; it is attained by a righteous life. Proverbs 16:31
MS. Beth,
This post so made me giggle!!! Oh my gosh…wow!! I got my hair highlited when I was 15 or 16. I took a break for a while, then I had red hair, then hilites again…and now…every 8-10 weeks I schedule another hilite. And y’all, I got my first two gray hairs at 18. I was like “Aaaaaaaah! I’m not even 20 yet and I have grey hair”. LOL!
I have to confess. I did not have highlights put in my hair until I was 29. It was something I had always wanted to do and everytime I would muster up the courage to go and have some highlights my husband would say to me, “People pay to have your hair color, and now you want to pay to have it changed.” I went very subtle just like the lady in the salon. I liked it and was very glad that I did it. I hated my reddish-brown hair as a child, but since I’ve been an adult I really like it. I’m glad that I got “getting highlights” checked off my “things to do before I die list”:)
Hello All my Siestas!
You are all such a hoot! I love this blog. I just got my hair colored and highlighted (not my first time). Don’t you love how we can all come together with different beliefs…some color, some don’t and still have a BLAST!
You are all awesome.
Marita
I am just so excited sitting here thinking that you are getting a color touch up TO COME SEE US IN JAX! Yippee! I can’t wait to see you tonight. I am praying hard for God’s spirit and power to fill the arena. The whole arena filled with HIS GLORY!
I am almost 48 and my white hair coupled with my naturally blonde hair (although that is turning dirty blonde) are my highlights. How does one turn white/gray and darken the blonde coloring at the same time? I asked the person who cut my hair and she said “I dunno”. Mysterious. I have light blonde, dark blonde, and white all mushed together.