Keeping the Goal in Mind

The past few months, I have been in the process of letting my bangs grow out.  Even though I have had bangs most of my life, I decided I was ready to try something different.  It has been a growth in process.  Several times during these first few months I have questioned whether if it was worth the hassle as the hair was not quite long enough to pull to the side but was too long to keep out of my eyes and off my face.  I’ve even contemplated cutting them shorter again but realized that if I wanted to grow them out later I would have to go through the same process again.  I can tell there is progress because the hair is longer than it was before.  Keeping the goal in mind helps me tolerate the inconvenience right now.

Friday afternoon I went for some lab work.  Since I had already written most of the blog for the week, I thought it was ironic that the first thing the two nurses said when they saw me was, “Your hair is different.”  You can tell you have been to a lab too many times when they remember what your hairstyle looks like.  That quickly turned to a time of thankfulness and rejoicing because it has been months, the amount of time I have been growing out my bangs, since I last needed their services.

In the grand scheme of life, I realize that it really doesn’t matter whether I have bangs or grow them out, but I think the lessons I’m thinking about in the process are important.

 

* It’s best to concentrate on the benefits of the end result rather than dwell on the inconveniences of the present circumstances.

* To make progress, it’s important to persevere toward the goal rather than opt to go back to the other way just because it is easier for the moment. 

* Sometimes hairspray, clips, new ideas, or other tactics need to be added to a situation to make it better.

* Remembering where you started and noticing progress along the way can encourage you to stick with a project.

* One bad hair day doesn’t determine your worth or destiny.

* When hair or other distractions cover your eyes or cloud your thoughts or heart, it’s best to brush them aside so you can see clearly.

* Knowing and remembering that my final goal is spending eternity with Jesus in Heaven should make a difference in the way I see and respond to life each day.

^” Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up.”  Galatians 6:9

 ^“Not that I have already obtained all this, or have already been made perfect, but I press on to take hold of that for which Christ Jesus took hold of me.  Brothers, I do not consider myself yet to have taken hold of it. But one thing I do: Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus.”  Philippians 3:12-14

 ^“And God is able to make all grace abound to you, so that in all things at all times, having all that you need, you will abound in every good work.”  2 Corinthians 9:8