Let Us Spray

You wouldn't believe the amount of hairspray one household of seven people can go through in a week. Imagine seven heads of unruly hair. We have light hold, extra hold, extra-extra hold, extra-ridiculously-stiff-like-your-favorite-whisk-broom hold, and, my favorite, polyurethane. I've been told that we should stay in well-ventilated areas when we do hair. And we should never coif near an open flame.

You might be glad to know that I buy all those varieties of hairspray in pump bottles- mostly because I worry that if we were an aerosol family, there would be a hole in the ozone layer right over our house.

Did you know that there are several members of my family who can jump on the trampoline without their hair ever moving? When the wind blows, the hair all blows up in one piece. I've wondered if we should install hinges so we don't have to worry about a big hair flap snapping off. I think I actually felt my feet leave the ground on one extra windy day. It's the "Flying Nun" revisited- and without the hat. We give the term "hat hair" a whole new meaning.

When Andrew was younger, he liked to use the plastered hair flap on the top as a spit ball springboard. He said it made a great sling-shot. He lost many a spit ball in that hair, though. Once I noticed two of them stuck up there. They looked just like little eyeballs on top of his head. Boy, was it creepy to look at his hair and have it look back. He thought it was funny. I'm sure if he'd thought of it, he would have gibed "Hair's looking at you!"

At least I don't have to worry about us sticking together as a family. You know what they say about the family that sprays together. If I ever see us drifting apart, all I'll have to do is sneak up behind everyone and press all our heads together. If we're not "chummy," we can at least be "gummy."

Sticking together as a family really has become so much easier- all hair-do's aside- since all of my kids have become followers of Christ. It's become so much more pleasant, too. I wonder if there's anything in life that brings joy to parents like seeing our children come to a place where they understand their need for a savior and decide to give their hearts and lives to Christ.

All of us have a need for a savior. Since sin entered the world in the Garden of Eden, we've all been separated from a holy God. Every one of us since Adam and Even has sinned. Romans 3:10-11 says, "There is no one righteous, not even one; there is no one who understands, no one who seeks God." (NIV)

But God loves us in the most powerfully surprising, "hair-raising" way. Even though we were unlovable, Jesus came as part of God's gracious love plan. "But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us" Romans 5:8 says (NIV). Jesus lived a sinless life and died a sacrificial death on the cross to pay our sin penalty. Romans 3:23-25 says, "For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, and are justified freely by his grace through the redemption that came by Christ Jesus. God presented him as a sacrifice of atonement, through faith in his blood." (NIV)

When He died on the cross, Jesus was taking the punishment for every sin you've ever committed- past, present and future. Once you've accepted Christ, you're declared righteous in the eyes of God. Romans 3:22 says, "This righteousness from God comes through faith in Jesus Christ to all who believe." (NIV) Three days after Jesus died, He rose from the dead, conquering sin and death once and for all. He's alive! And when we ask Him to forgive our sin and to come into our lives and take control, He does just that. We can believe the promise of Romans 10:13: "Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved." (NIV)

When we give Him our lives, He makes us new. His unconditional, selfless, sacrificing, extravagant love has made new life possible for all who will receive Him- eternal life. Remembering His provision for us is reason to praise- thejump-up-and-down-and-rejoice kind of praising! Oh, that reminds me, betterbe sure tospray before you praise.

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Rhonda Rhea writes for dozens of Christian publications and speaks at conferences and events across the country. You can find her newest books, "Soup for the Soul-Tastes Just Like Chicken", and "Amusing Grace", at your local Christian bookstore. "Who Put the Cat in the Fridge-Serving Up Hope and Hilarity Family Style", will be available in March. Rhonda's husband, Richie Rhea, is a pastor in Troy, Missouri. You can reach them through her Web site at: www.rhondarhea.net.