Hair In The Winter
“When you prepare you set yourself up for success when opportunities come.”
I’m an African American woman who wears her hair in its natural state. Almost every winter since then, I’ve pleasantly known the unspoken rule that during the winter, it’s time to “put it up” i.e. braid it up, twist it up or any chosen form of a protective style. Why you might ask? Because the harsh weather is damaging to my hair if I don’t protect it. Naturally curly hair has the tendency to be naturally dry*, because of the curl pattern. So during the winter months the cold and dry air more than likely is working against the health of our hair, rather than for it.
Protective styles help me to preserve more moisture, texture and keep from breakage because of the dry air and bitter breeze. Every winter I’m met with the decision to either take care of it now or reap the fruit of what I didn’t sow: damage. Every year its either growth or brittle stagnancy because of my choice of sowing in a time when it’s out of season. My preparation sometimes determines my growth. It lets me know that regardless of what I do, it will come out later.
Take care of what you have and invest!
Preparation catapults me in to a better position than my last. It teaches me to Invest, because it will matter later what I tend to now.
Proverbs 27:23-27 says:
Be sure you know the condition of your flocks, give careful attention to your herds; for riches do not endure forever, and a crown is not secure for all generations. When the hay is removed and new growth appears and the grass from the hills is gathered in, the lambs will provide you with clothing, and the goats with the price of a field. You will have plenty of goats’ milk to feed your family and to nourish your female servants.
The one who wrote this knew how to prepare for those "in-between" times in life. Because truth is we have them, but it doesn’t mean we are left without a choice to prepare. Another passage I look to is this:
Proverbs 6:6-10 says:
Go to the ant, you sluggard! Consider her ways and be wise, Which, having no captain, Overseer or ruler, Provides her supplies in the summer, And gathers her food in the harvest. How long will you slumber, O sluggard? When will you rise from your sleep? A little sleep, a little slumber, A little folding of the hands to sleep— So shall your poverty come on you like a prowler, And your need like an armed man.
Proverbs 6:10-11 is a reminder to get active in all things. I’m reminded every time I read it to pursue upkeep so I don’t find myself like the man here, in a slumber, or without any fruit. To let no good thing go dormant. Health, work, spiritual disciplines, relationships, finances, etc. If I don’t invest or take care of it, it’ll be wasted potential. Or worse, damaged.
What does this look like in everyday life? Well,
Do you only study when a test is around the corner?
Do you only practice when it’s time to perform?
Do you only save when a vacation or celebration is in the near future?
Or, let’s make it personal….
Am I only in the word when it’s time to teach it?
Am I only productive when my manager is around?
Do I invest in my finances now so that (Lord willing) retirement won’t be a burden?
God gives us things in which we have a responsibility to honor him with. Our families, jobs, children, talents, ministries even our bodies. I’m not one to say that you solely preparing is the end all be all because I know that can give way to a “self-made” way of thinking. We are not the final say in this, He is. At the end of the day God is the one who adds the increase. However, it is in our preparation that we show our expectation, thankfulness and agreement for what He’s given us and/or what He’s called us to do. Amen?
Until Next Time,
Jess
*https://www.ogleschool.edu/blog/winter-hair-care-tips-natural-hair/