As promised, here’s the After:

What do you think?  Better than the before?  Granted, I did what all those “Makeover” magazines do and took the “Before” photo without makeup.  But then I had to go to the mall.  To detract from my Very Bad Hair, I had to put on some mascara and lipstick.  You’ve done that before, right?

I confess that I haven’t been taking great care of myself lately.  It’s hard to make the effort to put on jeans that snap when your belly hurts so much you end up unsnapping them later and hope no one notices!  Before today, I’d completely given up on the hair.  Makeup is one of those beauty applications that I put on for church and little else.  So I surprised myself this morning when I made the split decision to just go get the lawn mower hair repaired.

I’m so glad I did.  Not just because I like the cut, but because I adore the person who cut it.   As I sat on the bench waiting to be called back, I prayed that God would send me someone who would not just fix my mop but would also minister to my turmoiled heart.  Every step I take seems to holler out “surgery” or “hysterectomy.”  Because this is my one “good” week out of the month, I’m already questioning my decision to go forward on October 26th with the surgery.  I will probably be questioning my decision until the moment they administer the anesthesia!  It never ceases to amaze me how God answers prayer, though.  He sent me Mary Jo.

Mary Jo is one of those women who seem to ooze peace through their pores.  She is beautiful and gentle.  She’s probably been cutting hair since I was cutting teeth.  A proud grandma, Mary Jo pulled out her phone to show me photos of her gorgeous grandson.  I don’t know why I told her I was getting ready to have a hysterectomy, but something compelled me to do so.  I’ll probably babble on about it to the grocery store clerk the next time I visit Target…but here’s yet another divine fingerprint on my life: Mary Jo stopped what she was doing, looked me eyeball to eyeball, and told me that having a hysterectomy was the BEST decision she ever made.  How many women is that now that I’ve heard from?  I’ve lost count!

I left the store with a bounce in my step and in my hair.  But the best part of this afternoon was the bounce I felt in my spirit as I once again felt the peace that passes understanding.  My heavenly Father knows my concerns and my worries, and he continues to put people in my life who can knowledgeably speak to my anxieties.

 ⁶ Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. ⁷ And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.
Philippians 4:6-7

I mean, seriously.  Who goes in for a haircut and walks out with peace?  Me, apparently!  Thank you, God!