Growing, Growing, GONE!

Years ago I decided that I would attempt to make everything I do be for the glory of God. {1Chr 10:31}

Many of you are thinking..."Well, DUH!" and some are confused. Please keep in mind: God does not ask me to be a pharisee-rule follower. He ask that I be a Christ-follower and He did not always follow the rules we, as humans, had created.

I took 1 Chronicles 10:31 literally! I also wanted to be like the original church, spoken about in Act.

44 And all the believers met together in one place and shared everything they had. 45 They sold their property and possessions and shared the money with those in need. 46 They worshiped together at the Temple each day, met in homes for the Lord’s Supper, and shared their meals with great joy and generosity [fn10] — 47 all the while praising God and enjoying the goodwill of all the people. And each day the Lord added to their fellowship those who were being saved.
Acts 2:44-47

I made a promise to be set apart, weird, odd, different. Among the list of "normal" things I've decided to try and give God glory with "uncommon" ones. Simply reGifting to God. Kinda hard to find a gift for the God who made and owns everything. Here a few examples:

• Car- it's not mine. I will always use it to in the way Jesus ask me to...ya know, since its His and all. I will giving rides to those in need. I will drive safely, considering the safety of those in my car and around it (sometimes that may mean Not speed; unless theirs an emergency. Or abiding by other driving laws) I will use it sparingly don't squander gas. I will be willing to let other borrow it (I have 2 and others have NONE).
• Home- it's not mine. I will always have space available for guest (over night). I will always have a space available for someone to eat with us (extra food, chair(s), dishes, etc). I will keep it clean enough to have unexpected company at any time. I will share all the blessing in it and be willing to give away any of my things God ask (other have NONE).
• Clothing- it's not mine. I will dress (myself and family not matter the age) modestly. I will not spend exorbitant amounts of money on any item of clothing. I will not have excessive amount of clothing (when others have NONE).
• Hair- it's not mine. "WHAT?" I know, sounds odd. Stay with me.
  I will take care of my hair's health. I will not let it consume huge chunks of time in my day. I will grow it out long enough to donate. I will not get major hair cuts before it's long enough in an attempt not to waste hair (when others have NONE).
  Hair. I'd like to take a minute and share with you where this desire started in my life.

A man and woman were on an anniversary trip. So excited to have a vacation by themselves having left their 3 kids with relatives, they rode with wide grins in an elevator up the St. Louis Arch! FUN! The doors open and a small boy and his father enter with them. The small boy held his father's hand gazing around the elevator in awe. When his eyes became fixed in fascination on the man on the anniversary trip. "Daddy! He looks just like a crash dummy!" The man and his wife laughed at the little boys creativity. Yep, they could see where he got that! The man has alopecia. Alopecia Aretia.

Alopecia areata is a condition that causes round patches of hair loss, and can lead to total hair loss. The cause of alopecia areata is unknown. About a fifth of people with this condition have a family history of alopecia. Alopecia areata is thought to be an autoimmune condition. This occurs when the immune system mistakenly attacks and destroys healthy body tissue. Alopecia areata is seen in men, women, and children. A major life event such as an illness, pregnancy, or trauma occurs before the hair loss in some, but not most patients
Forms of alopecia include:

• Alopecia areata -- patches of hair loss, usually on the scalp, but they also can be in the beard or other areas
• Alopecia totalis -- complete loss of scalp hair
• Alopecia universalis -- total loss of all body hair
  Most of the time there are no other symptoms besides hair loss, but some people may feel a burning sensation or itching.

Alopecia areata usually begins as one to two patches of hair loss, most often on the scalp. It may also be seen in the beard, eyebrows, and arms or legs. Roundish patches of hair loss are smooth, and may be peach-colored. Hairs that look like exclamation points are sometimes seen at the edges of a bald patch.

• Loss of all scalp hair (alopecia totalis), often within 6 months after symptoms first start.
• Loss of all scalp and body hair (alopecia universalis).

 {All the above information on Alopecia was found at http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmedhealth/PMH0002421/ you can find addition information (i.e. optional treatments) there as well}

This story happened close to 20 years ago. I would have been ~7 years old. I heard this story first hand from my parents, the couple on the anniversary trip.

My dad has been a solid example of how a Christ-follower should be when faced with condition resulting in long-term "physical" effects. He has never flinched at the comments made, back in the day, when people would mutter "skin-head" or other derogatory comments about having no hair {Any Where}. He's always been open to anser question with a smile on his face about why he had no hair. When the bald spots began to out number the hair on his head he ask my mom to shave it all off. With tears rolling down her face, standing in the bathroom, I remember watching my mom buzz my dad's head and then use a razor to remove the remaining hair. Wearing hats for years and a few less family pictures may be a result of insecurity but you never really get that sentiment.

I have chosen to use All the things God has given me for His glory. God has blessed me with the ability...grow hair. I have chosen to live in a constant state of growing, growing, and some years grooooowing my hair only to have it be gone. With this commitment comes the privilege of trusting that God knew what He was doing when he made me and my hair. Requirements for hair donations include (but are not limited to):

• Make sure hair is a minimum of 10-12 inches. Pull curly hair straight for a more accurate measurement.
• Hair cannot be permed, color-treated, or highlighted.  Temporary coloring or highlights that washout are acceptable.

I have done "the chop" 3 times now and I am currently in the growing, growing stage. I have donated to Locks of Love the past 3 times but recently found out their wigs are expensive for the recipients so this next time I am donating to Wigs for Kids! I'd say I have about 3-4 months before my hair is long enough to have  10-12 inches an about shoulder length left over. I want to challenge YOU to join me in the Growing, Growing, Gone process! I encourage anyone who can grow hair to do so for the sake of those who can't!!! Don't want to grow your hair that long? PLEASE CONSIDER MAKING PLEDGES FOR MY HAIR DONATION or SOMEONE YOU KNOW THAT GROWS!

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Comment to join this hairy moment ;o), give other donation sites, or to make pledges!
Do you have a story to share. Comments are open!

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For more information about both organizations click the following links:
http://www.locksoflove.org/donate.html and http://www.wigsforkids.org/donate