I went to my favorite beauty shop to have my hair done and was able to witness three remarkable women fulfilling their vision of an ideal workplace. They had invited the seniors of a local senior housing complex to stop by their shop for free hair cuts and styling. I witnessed first hand the seniors giggling like teenagers preparing for a first date. When they had opened their shop, they felt strongly the need to minister to the seniors in the area. Many times they are forgotten. After all seniors had spent their lives giving to their community and families, now it was their turn to be ministered to. The three ladies spent hours fixing hair and listening to stories. While I was there, it was hard to decide which was enjoyed most, the haircut or having someone listen to them as they spoke without interrupting or pretending to listen.
I over-heard Mr. Joe pull a fast one on Rebecca, asking if she had cleaned the mirrorreally well for him to see himself. When the other seniors laughed, she looked up at her mirror puzzled. After all, hers was the cleanest mirror in the shop.
“Mr. Joe, you can’t see yourself in my mirror?” “No,”he replied, “It’s not very clear to me at all”. One of the ladies spoke up, “No matter how well you cleaned that mirror he couldn’t see himself. Mr. Joe is blind.” Even Rebecca had to laugh good-naturedly at his joke.
I had to know more. Why would these ladies take on extra work for no pay when they already had a busy schedule? I went back later and asked Rebecca how did all this come about. She took time out of her busy day to answer my questions. As she talked a story unfolded about Nicky and Kellee and herself being brought together by the same vision given to each one separately over a three year period. Three years ago, Kellee believed that God spoke to her heart that she would work in a Christian hair and nail care salon. Nicky believed God said He would bring people from afar to where she worked to be ministered to. Rebecca was given the name for the shop, A Total Image.
Each one is a Christian. Each believed they could serve the Lord with their hair care abilities. None of the three wanted just another job, they wanted more. They longed for a Spirit filled salon that offered not just hair care service that touched the outside of a person, but a ministry that also touched the heart of a person. A place where they could take time to be sensitive to the needs of the person sitting in the chair and offer prayer to a troubled soul. When they had opened their shop, they felt strongly the need to minister to the seniors in the area. Many times they are forgotten. After all seniors had spent their lives giving to their community and families, now it was their turn to be ministered to.
Before they had opened the shop, they had worked together at Church of The Way’s annual Back-To-School Bash giving free haircuts to underprivileged children. There they spent hours cutting the hair of long lines of children of all ages. They worked efficiently yet made each child welcome. A fidgety child was no problem for them. They were handled with warmth and humor. Rebecca explained they did that each year because growing up they had experienced their parents not being able to afford haircuts. They believe each child should be made to feel special and not suffer the embarrassment of feeling like an outsider because of financial problems. If they can raise a child’s self esteem with a free haircut, they will continue to give them. Many hurting individuals come into their shop. These sensitive ladies stop and ask the other two to join in prayer for the person in the chair. Customers don’t mind that their beauty operator leaves them for a moment to place their hand upon someone else in prayer. After all, next week it may be them.
I am happy to report that there have been answers to their prayers. One woman had fled from an abusive, alcoholic husband only to have him steal the children from her. She was at a point of despair where it looked like she would have to return to him because she had no where to live, no transportation and no one to turn to. They prayed for her then and continued in prayer after she left. Within two weeks, she had her children back, a car and a better job. She came by to tell them of her good luck. She was quickly told,”That was not luck. That was God!
“Another woman came into their shop for the first time, just seeking her hair done. She was just visiting in the area and happened to pick this salon. It was obvious that she had been drinking. At first glance, they thought she was a party girl, but God told them not to judge but to look deeper. They prayed over her and began to feel her deep pain that had driven her to drink. Crying, she confessed she had lost her son and was hiding her grief with alcohol. They prayed for her often. When her two weeks were up and it was time for her to return home, she made a special trip to their shop to thank them. A new woman walked out of that shop.
As I talked to them, one thing stood out: There was no “me” or “I,” but rather “the Lord”. Every accomplishment is credited to the Lord. They would not take credit for anything and seemed embarrassed that I would ask. They don’t feel they are doing anything special, but that God is. I rejoice that on that particular day I could be there and see first hand how they don’t do anything special. Keep up the good work girls.
You may think you don’t do anything special but in the eyes of the people you are touching, you are doing it very well.
~Cheryl Speir (Write 2 The Heart)
