When I came to Jordan last year, I
wondered if I would find someone who could give me a good haircut. For me, that is something that is sort of a
big deal and the search to find someone to give me a cut that will be chic and
grow out well was not something I was sure I could find here. Then I wondered if I could find someone who
would also be affordable. Well, I was
introduced to this person here in Jordan and was so happy. This lady’s name was Sheila and she was from England. Never had I seen anyone cut hair they way she did. It was like watching an
artist at work as she would do my hair.
It was great.
This talented woman, who was only in her
50s, was such a sad lady. She was living here in this country that at times it seemed
like she was not too fond of, yet was too ashamed to go back home because she
saw herself as a failure. She changed salons more times than I can count
because she would get upset with one and move on to another. In talking with her you could tell that her
whole life was just about her trying so hard to fill this void. It was heart breaking. I went to see Sheila
right before I left for a conference in England and our idle chitchat turned to some spiritual
matters. She asked me if I was a very
religious person and I told her how for me, it wasn’t about religion, but about
a relationship with Jesus. I told
her that when we understand just how much God loves us, it is life
changing. She nodded in agreement with me and then the
subject changed and we talk about other things. I remember how I felt so nervous as I said
all this to her, but as I walked out of the salon that day I thought how I
needed to have more talks like that with her in the future.
This last week I learned that about a
week and half after my visit to Sheila, she had a stroke and died. This news
was sort of a wake up call for me and really got me thinking. I am thankful
that I did take that opportunity the last time I saw her and was able to share with her, but at the same
time I'm also a little sad that I didn't talk to her those countless other
times that I had been to see her. This
life is short and we never know when it will end for any of us. This was a good
and sad reminder to me to always be ready and have the boldness to share truth
with everyone who crosses my path because I don't know if that will be the last
time I will see that person.
It was also a good reminder to take the
time for people. Sometimes I rush around
trying to get things done and forget to take the time for people. While getting things done is good, people are
more important. I pray and hope that
these lessons are ones that stick with me for quite some time.
