Today I was startled as a face looked back at mine. It was a young woman. She wore chunky earrings, sported spiked hair dyed black, and ugly dark lipstick. Her t-shirt was black and somehow I guessed her skirt or pants and shoes were black too. I wonder at my boldness.
I must confess, I had some preconceived ideas about this girl. I saw her as hard. I wondered if she'd open her mouth to reveal a pierced tongue. I guessed that her ankles or lower back sported a tatoo or two. I felt sorry for her mother. The little girl she'd probably dressed in ruffles and bows looking so sweet now looks like part of the new rebellion.
I wondered what she would read. She read my words and opened a new window. She opened her email and sent the link to a friend with the words, "Maybe this will encourage you today. I know you are hurting. I am praying for you."
I was humbled. I assumed she was a wayward child! I assumed that she was seared to the things of the Lord. Her face was softened as she read an email from a friend. She wept for the friend's struggles. She sent back encouraging scriptures and a promise of prayer.
I wondered again at her appearance. Why the desire to look like a counter culture group? Was she a recent convert? Did she have a time of rebellion? Were they weaker Christians? Or was I focusing too much on what she looked like? Maybe she just thinks the look is 'cool'. Is it a sin to wear black, dye your hair and wear chunky jewelry?
I know there is a lot of truth to the argument of avoiding the appearance of evil, and that we're to be light in a dark world. But there is also a lot about showing the love of Christ to those who are hurting. This girl sure did that. I watched as she read encouraging blogs, wept over the news of another school shooting, and wrote her own encouragement to her friends to stand strong in the faith, honor their parents, glorify Jesus in all that they do, and love the Lord with all their hearts, souls, minds, and strength.
I have to admit, I liked her. I closed my eyes and pictured her differently. I pictured her hair curled and her lipstick pink. I changed her ugly jewelry for dainty jewelry and her t-shirt to a purple sweater. It looked beautiful on her. She was so pretty. I saw her mother lean over her shoulder and read what the girl wrote. She beamed with pride and hugged her daughter. The joy in her eyes as she said, "I love you" was so sincere and beautiful.
I jumped. My mental picture had faded into reality and I saw that same mother leaning over the girl's shoulder. I saw her beaming with pride and hugging her daughter. I saw the joy shining in her eyes as she said "I love you".
The mom wasn't ashamed of her semi-goth daughter. I don't know the story behind this girl. I dont' know why she has made some of the choices she has. I do know that she loves the Lord. I do know that her heart is sensitive to honoring Him with her life. And I think that if the Lord wants her to change her appearance... she'll be receptive to that.
I want so badly to ask why. But maybe the why has nothing to do with her, and everything to do with me. Maybe she looks like that to teach me a lesson in humility. Maybe, just maybe, I was supposed to learn that some have the overflowing love of Christ in their hearts and others have only the appearance of it.
Comments
Jan. 28, 2007 - Untitled Comment
Posted by Anonymous
Another semi-goth here faithful to Jesus! (or keep on trying every day!) Where inthe Bible does it say not to pierce certain areas of your body?