People spend a lot of money on hair care. It’s a $55 billion worldwide market and that’s pretty apparent if you walk down the hair care aisle at the local grocery store. Not only do you have numerous brands of shampoo, but they are all specialized. Some add oil; some take it out. Some are just for women; others are just for men. Babies have their own particular products as do senior adults. A few even advertise “no tears” although the price tag might make you cry a little.
The most intriguing products, however, are the hair colorings. You can become a blonde, brunette or redhead in less than 30 minutes. Or, in that same half hour, you can become a Starfish, Caramel, Driftwood, Tawny or Hibiscus.
There are few, if any, hair colorings that turn you gray or white. To the contrary, there seems to be an aversion to becoming gray-headed or white-haired. But, if you read through your Bible, those are the colors of honor and esteem. Proverbs 16:31 says that gray hair is a crown of splendor and it is attained by a righteous life. Leviticus 19:32 challenges God’s people to rise in honor of the gray-headed saint.
Gray or white hair is also a reminder of God’s promise of faithfulness to his people. That’s what Veda Mulkey was thinking of when she was approved for assistance from GuideStone’s Mission:Dignity ministry.
Veda’s husband, S.M., was a Baptist pastor for more than 60 years. In numerous small churches in Louisiana and Ohio, the Mulkeys preached and ministered, week after week, year after year. When S.M. died in 2001, Veda’s widow’s benefit was only about $400 plus a modest Social Security check. She pinched pennies but the rising costs of groceries and medicines were getting hard to cover. Then, the heating and air conditioning unit in her house broke down and had to be replaced. That took away any savings that she had.
Veda’s Mission:Dignity application was approved right away. An additional emergency grant also helped with the repair of her heating and a/c equipment. With some cool temperatures still in the forecast and summer not far away, this was a welcome relief.
When she learned of the assistance, Veda couldn’t hold back the tears.
“My husband was a faithful pastor and he was concerned about what would happen to me after he was gone,” Veda said. “You don’t know how much of a blessing it is to know someone cares for me.”
The next time you walk down the shampoo aisle, remember Veda and others with gray hair, white hair — or even no hair — who are helped through Mission:Dignity. Your gifts and prayers are tangible ways to rise up in their honor and to remind them of God’s continued faithfulness and care in their old age.