Last week, I went to get my haircut, like I’ve done so many times before. But this time, I experienced a flashback of a time when my haircut was more than just a haircut.
It was a cold, snowy February evening, so the hair salon was very empty. There was only one other customer, myself, and two stylists. So the woman who does my hair suddenly asked how my deacon studies were going. (This happened back when I was in formation.) For the next hour and a half, all of us spoke about religion and faith. Actually, they did most of the talking. I primarily listened and answered questions when prompted.
One of the stylists told me that she was an Evangelical and proceeded to tell me about some of their beliefs and customs. She then told me that she was pregnant, and that she and her husband had different opinions on whether to christen their baby. Then all of us began talking about the Sacrament of Baptism and the rich symbolism of water.
By this time, the other customer had left. Then the remaining three of us began talking about the bible. The other stylist questioned me about the Book of Revelations, and we engaged in a very rich and active conversation. Then, she left to go home leaving just my stylist and myself in the salon.
We continued talking about multiple topics involving Catholicism, and she told me about all of her faith struggles that she was having. She wasn’t very specific, but it was clear that there were some unresolved issues from her past. These were keeping her from deepening her relationship with Jesus. She just talked and talked – and I just listened and listened. When she finished with my hair, she locked up the salon and I walked her out to her car. She thanked me and said, “That’s why you’re being called to be a deacon. You sat there and listened to me the entire time. This was really good and very helpful to me. Thank you.” She hugged me and we both departed.
I remember going home and thanking God for allowing me to be there for her. I prayed, hoping that I said the right stuff and represented our faith well.
What a great reminder for all of us that we should praise and thank God for all of the gifts that we have been given, and to ask for the strength to listen to others – especially those who need to be heard.
This was certainly a haircut that I will always remember.
I, then, a prisoner for the Lord, urge you to live in a manner worthy of the call you have received, with all humility and gentleness, with patience, bearing with one another through love, striving to preserve the unity of the spirit through the bond of peace: one body and one Spirit, as you were also called to the one hope of your call; one Lord, one faith, one baptism; one God and Father of all, who is over all and through all and in all. ~Ephesians 4:1-6
One can learn a lot about faith from a tree. Let us leaf to find out more.
