Grace Community Christian Church

 

Archived Things Above

Tonsorial Commitment (7/1/93)

It was time for my annual summer "wash & wear" haircut, & as soon as she asked the question, I knew I was in trouble. "Where do you want me to begin?" she said. "How do I know?" I replied, "you're the barber!" The rest is history, as many of you have seen (and buffed!)

She wasn't my usual barber, which was probably my big mistake. Ray has been the only one to ever consistently cut my hair in a way that satisfies me. But he was at lunch, & I didn't feel like waiting another thirty minutes. Besides, what could go wrong with a simple "buzz" cut?! I would soon find out.

Revving up the electric shaver, she neatly carved a skin-deep gorge right down the center of my head. She stepped back, took a frowned look, & then asked me in all seriousness if I wanted her to continue. What kind of question was THAT?! It was then I realized anew what the word "commitment" really means.

"Go for it," I said, feigning confidence while trying to sink as low as possible in the chair, & also trying to ignore the giggles coming from the direction of the waiting area. (The fellow who kept going "Baaahhh" didn't make me feel any better!)

There's no doubt I'll go back to Ray next time, & if I have to wait three hours, so be it. But I'm glad I at least gave Rose a try, because she could just as easily have done a great job. After all, any departure from the routine always carries a certain degree of RISK. Life, & church life, would be awfully boring if every change came with an ironclad guarantee of success.

Risk yields adventure, anticipation, & imagination. It raises the pulse, heightens the senses, & teaches us to laugh at ourselves. (All very worthwhile benefits.) Even if it ultimately fails, maybe sometimes risk for risk's sake IS worth it, if for nothing other than the new perspective it affords.

On second thought, maybe next time I'll try Jack!


Jim Dewar --