Need a Haircut?

 I was looking in the mirror recently and came to the conclusion that I needed a haircut.   50 years ago,  I would not have thought so as in those days I wore my hair long like most of my peers male and female.   The main reason I need a haircut is this:  barber shops have been closed by  the order of the governor of my state due to the current pandemic.    So, I have been waiting   for the barber shop to open back up.   

Now, perhaps some of you are thinking I could get a member of  my household to cut my hair but I decline to try that because of this story.  I recall a time over 50 years ago when my Mom got the idea that she would cut the hair of my brother, Tony, and I.   Somehow in the course of conversation with our neighbors, Mom discovered that they gave their children haircuts.   My Mom was always eager to save money, and saving a grand total of less than $5 seemed a good reason for Mom to give it a try.   I was timid at the prospect of Mom cutting our hair from the start.  While my Mom had many wonderful talents,  I was skeptical  at the thought that Mom could cut my hair as well as Mr. Castle at our local barber shop in Burlington.   So, I let my brother, Tony, be the first one in Mom’s barber chair.    When Mom was finished cutting Tony’s hair, it was a sight that was not something to be proud of.  Tony wore a hat to school for weeks until his hair grew back out and Mr. Castle could repair the damage at his barber shop.

I don’t know about you, but this pandemic has reminded me that there many things that have been a part of my daily life that I have taken for granted like getting my hair cut.   As Joni Mitchell sang many years ago:   “Don’t it always seem that you don’t know what you got till it is gone.”  Here is a partial  list of things that this pandemic has reminded me that I have taken for granted in days past:

·         Going to church to worship

·         Spending time with friends and family

·         Enjoying lunch or dinner in a restaurant

·         Attending a music concert live and in person

·         Travelling to see the beautiful sights of this world

In Luke 17, we hear of a time when Jesus encounters a band of lepers.  It might be fair to say that leprosy meant that these lepers had to keep  their “social distance” from their family, community, and faith community due to their condition.   Jesus, the great physician, heals them all.  Despite their healing, Luke (a physician himself) tells us that only one of the ten bothers  to offer gratitude to Jesus.  I don’t know about you, but I am one of those nine for I have taken too many gifts  in my life for granted.  If you see me and I look like a need a haircut, perhaps I am simply trying to relive the days of my youth.   Have a joy-filled week.-  Pastor Randy Wall

  

PRAYER

O God,   you are the giver of all good things.   Forgive me for my blindness of the gifts and joys that I know each day. Give me a grateful heart; through Jesus Christ our Lord.  Amen.