Brush the Back

Reflection 

When I was growing up as a young girl, I would watch my mom get ready for the day. She was a minimalist with make-up, using lipstick as her primary beauty secret. She would prepare her hair, a process that was far more time-consuming without blow dryers and curling irons. At that time, curlers, hair dryers that you sit under, and a healthy dose of Aqua Net (hairspray) did the trick. After all the work, she would brush out her hair, combing down a bang, teasing the front, and would brush the sides and top of her hair just like she wanted it. Then she secured it in place with the hairspray. She looked beautiful! And then she would turn around and the back had a flat spot that was untouched with all of the fuss. I asked her one day why she didn't brush the back of her head. She said she couldn’t see it, and asked if I would ‘fix it,’ which of course I did. This got me thinking - even as a young girl - that we can put in a lot of effort, but if we don’t pay attention to all the spaces and parts, there will be flat spots or gaps.

If my mom had used a hand mirror, she would have been able to see the back of her head and realize that it needed attention. If she had asked, “How does my hair look?” she would have received helpful feedback about how stunning the front and sides looked, but the back needed some attention.

Application

There are times in my faith walk in which I act a lot like my mother. The front and sides look great, but I have missed something I couldn’t see. I continue to forge ahead, oblivious to something obvious to others. How I would benefit from the ability to see what is hidden from my view or my attention. 

In Psalm 139, we read this beautiful passage that begins with:

“You have searched me, Lord and you know me. You know when I sit and when I rise; you perceive my thoughts from afar. You discern my going out and my lying down; you are familiar with all my ways.” Psalm 139:1-3

The passage continues – I encourage you to read it in full –with the assurance that we cannot escape God. He is always there. This is not some creepy warning. Instead, it is as the psalmist declares, “Such knowledge is too wonderful for me, too lofty for me to attain,” Why is He always there to guide and protect me? Because He formed us and made us fearfully and wonderfully made.

Psalm 139 concludes with the following in verses 23 and 24:

“Search me, God, and know my heart; test me and know my anxious thoughts. See if there is any offensive way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting.”

Closing/conclusion

We have blindspots in our faith and in our walk. We can look in the mirror and feel great about what we see and realize the efforts expended to serve God faithfully. But perhaps we are missing a spot, like my mom who needed to brush the back of her head, but just couldn’t see what was missing. Would we have the courage to pray, “Search me and know me, God?” Would we have the wisdom to seek counsel about what might need attention, believing that He formed us, knows us, guides us, and desires His best for us? When we ask, He is faithful and will show us what is needed and “His right hand will hold us fast.” Sometimes God provides insight in a still, quiet voice of conviction. Other times, He sends someone to help us see what is hidden. No matter His solution, He will stay by us, helping us correct what was once hidden.

~Maryellen Berry