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I confessed to you in a Coffee Stain, sometime back, that at times I think I’d like to grow a ponytail–kind of a gray tiger without the earring, you know.
I couldn’t wear an earring if I wanted to. My adult sons would come back and haunt me because I was so categorical when they were teenagers that they were men and as long as they were under my roof, the only earrings in my house would be worn by the female of the species.
But, you know that thing about the ponytail? I take it all back. I don’t want a ponytail. No desire. Nyet!
The other day I drove by this old dude who was standing on the sidewalk. He had a ponytail. Now, old dudes are generally pretty homely without any help. But, as I considered this fellow I realized that his ponytail certainly didn’t help things. It hurt them.
So, I decided that I’d leave the ponytails to the young ladies and I’d keep my shaggy look—not stylish shaggy, but “I don’t want to go to the barbershop,†shaggy. It’s better than a ponytail.
Not What I Wanted
Lots of people think they want something but when they get it, they find that it’s like a ponytail on an old man: not what they wanted. (You may have a ponytail that looks good on you. No problem. But, ask your wife’s opinion. If you’ve been married long enough she will tell you. Probably has, as a matter of fact.)
Some people sell their lives to gain a position. That’s pretty strong isn’t it David? Not really. We’re all purchasing something with our 24 hours a day. You spend it. Those who race to the top often find that what they wanted wasn’t what they were looking for.
Or the young lady thinks, “If I only had a husband, my life would be complete.†If that’s all that it takes there are thousands of women who would give their husband to the young lady—gift wrapped with a ribbon around his neck.
She gets him finally (hopefully he didn’t come from one of these other thousands of women wanting to get rid of theirs) and … disappointment. He wasn’t what she wanted. But, she’s not discouraged. She sets out to remake him into what he ought to be. That’s the recipe for happiness (not!).
The young man surrenders his integrity so that he can have some fun in life. It’s okay for awhile but then it all starts to seem, well, boring. So, he starts over. And he gives his all to get something. But, what he wants is always just beyond his reach.
Old Moses pastored a couple of million people like this. God showed them incredible miracles like no one on the face of the earth had ever seen. But, after awhile it was, “Bread from heaven? Man, I’m sick of this stuff. I remember Egypt where we had fish and garlic and all kinds of good stuff. This is miserable.â€
So, the Lord gave them meat but they didn’t find the joy they wanted. Only emptiness.
They only cared about pleasing themselves in that desert,
provoked God with their insistent demands.
He gave them exactly what they asked for—
but along with it they got an empty heart.
Ps. 106:15, The Message
Think about it a minute. What are you spending your life to obtain? Is that filling your heart with what you want?
If you’ve only got emptiness, you might check into something that God says is a source of fullness.
” For God was pleased to have all his fullness dwell in him (Jesus) and through him to reconcile to himself all things, whether things on earth or things in heaven, by making peace through his blood, shed on the cross.” (Col. 1:19, 20 NIV)
If you spend yourself seeking Jesus you’ll find that fullness you’re looking for.
You will show me the path of life;
In Your presence is fullness of joy;
At Your right hand are pleasures forevermore. Ps. 16:11
In the meantime, I don’t think a ponytail is the answer I’m looking for. I have considered getting the front of my hair spiked, though. Or maybe if …
Hummm ….
“Well done is better than well said.” ~ Benjamin Franklin
Thanks Nancy. David
Always look forward to your emails, and often share some of your words with others.