This week-end, my husband Kenya discovered that his barber had been permanently released from his job right when Kenya really needed a cut. The timing couldn't have been worse. So, that meant Kenya had to hunt around for someone new to cut his hair and hope for the best.
Now, he had been in this predicament before, with not-so-good results; but hey, he didn't have any choice. He had to try someone out. Nervously, Kenya went on to a new barbershop and trusted a friendly older gentleman he didn't know. Turns out, Kenya had stumbled upon a seasoned professional who knew his craft very well.
When he came home from the shop, his haircut looked great... really great. Kenya was both pleased and relieved. But, when he came close to me to give me a better look, I noticed a new scent in his hair that made me instantly woozy and gave me a splitting headache. The smell was strong... like incense, only 10x more potent.
Kenya laughed and acknowledged that the smell was pretty overbearing, but there was no denying that this guy gave him one of the best cuts he's ever had. Apparently, the spray and other solution the friendly barber put in my husband's hair, somehow added that extra special touch to it, but that smell just assaulted my senses in the worst way.
Ugh, his hair reeked.
We loved the results, but not what the barber used to achieve those results.
You know, my sentiments about Kenya's weekend barbershop experience, reminds me of the way we all feel about God's refinement process from time to time.
We like good results, don't we? However, we don't always like what we have to go through to get them, do we?
No, we don't.
I like to say, "Painful is the process that leads to progress." Inevitably, there will be discomfort associated with change, forward movement, and positive progression. That's just the way it is and there is no circumventing that.
Like it or not, God's methods for bringing out the best in you and me are not typically well-suited to our preferences. If we were given the option, we would likely take a completely different route.
I know I would.
But, it's not up to us; we just have to accept that. If we want to remain in God's will and maintain our joy through our personal season of refinement, we have to learn how not to fight against God's process. Just surrender to it. Even when we don't like it or understand it, we have to say yes to God.
As the Lord refines and molds us into what He desires us to be, truth be told, we will think His methods "stink" sometimes... just like the solution the barber applied to my husband's hair. Still, we must allow the Father to do His work the way He sees fit.
God knows what it takes for us to realize the outcome we have been hoping, praying and trusting Him for. So again, let Him do His work. No matter what obstacles, hurdles, setbacks, or frustrations you might be facing, know that God is using them to get you to the place you need to be.
As the saying goes, "God doesn't cause everything, but He can use anything." Your trouble, struggle, hardship, and heartache can be used by God to help you grow, mature, and develop into the vessel of honor you ought be.
So, hang in there and remind yourself that, if you can stand strong through the process, even when you think it stinks, the results will far exceed your expectations.
As always, thanks for reading and until next time... may you be empowered to prosper!
Dianna Hobbs
www.empoweringeverydaywomen.com
