Well, it is that time again. I need to go to the drugstore. Every seven weeks, like clockwork, a mental buzzer goes off and there is a reminder to look at my hair and know it is time to see my friend, Lissa. Lissa has been cutting my hair for close to thirty years. Around twenty years ago we decided that a little pep might look good in my hair. You know, just a little fun. Something new and some Florida sunshine on top can add some brightness to anyone entering their forties. Therefore, highlights! This worked great for years, until one day we realized I “needed” this to cover the friendly grey that was emerging. So, the motivation went from “pep” to “let’s do something about these ROOTS!” This brings me to the drugstore. There I buy a box of hair color as my first step to take care of this pesky problem.

Lissa has graciously helped me fake this extra step to try and save a few bucks. She has told me and written down the color number I have needed for years. For some reason I always forget which derivative of the number “6” hair color I need to buy to cover the grey roots. This brings me to my second confession. I am not always crazy about details and directions. If there is a short, quick way then I will take this route. In my shopping venture for Miss L’Oreal, I have come to rely on the picture of the girl on the box. Do I need to know the exact number if I can bypass this step with facial recognition? Well, the last time I bought Miss Lorie, it backfired! I am convinced that they changed the girl with the long, wavy brown hair and put her on another box. My trusted friend had become the “ash brown” girl. Now, I’m sure that this color has done wonders for women worldwide; but for me, I looked like a toasted marshmallow that had been dragged through the ashes of the campfire. Not pretty! It took some expert handling and a few tricks, but my trusted hairdresser was able to tame down the ash so I only looked like a lightly toasted marshmallow with fading ash. Thank you, Lissa!

So many times in life I look only at the outside of a situation or “box”. I forget to study or appreciate the inside. It doesn’t seem to be time efficient. If our bedroom looks tidy when I go in, I sense peace and order despite my cluttered closet. Over time the closet wears on me and I feel the effects of the mess. There are other times that I can keep it together on the outside but God knows what is going on in my heart. I am coming to learn that grace unfolds inside when life or “the box” seems like it is falling apart on the outside. New life takes place there. This is the place that Christ is able to work so powerfully.

It is hard for me to be patient and wait in the areas I cannot see. It can seem like I’m praying about the same people and situations over and over and that there is no change. Growth is happening on the inside, however, it is not something I see.

God’s promises send a message to the “eyes” of faith–

“Even though on the outside it often looks like things are falling apart on us, on the inside, where God is making new life, not a day goes by without his unfolding grace. These hard times are small potatoes compared to the coming good times, the lavish celebration prepared for us. There’s far more than meets the eye. The things we see are here today, gone tomorrow. But the things we can’t see now will last forever.”
2 Corinthians 4:16-18 (The Message)

I am heading out the door in a few minutes to make my purchase. I will look at the tiny numbers and fine print on the box. This will be a reminder to me to look for what The Lord is doing in the deep places of my life and where grace is unfolding. This is when I can see that He has more for me…and that includes walking around like a toasted marshmallow!