The Ministry of Smoothing Ruffled Hair


Well, it happened again today.  I went to church, and God showed up.  No, I mean he really showed up!


Let me tell you about it—quickly.  We did the church things.  You know, announcements, worship and preaching.  These were done like in most churches, and I sat and participated.


What God there?  Well, yes, He was. We were doing all the right things at the right time.  Appropriate raising of hands.  Sitting with minds fixed on the preacher.  Offering the odd “Amen” or risking a good “Hallelujah."   You know, all the stuff we are supposed to do in church.


But then, God showed up.  Let me tell you what happened.


An elderly lady was sitting in the front row.  I’m old—she was ‘elderly.’  She had done an okay job of cleaning herself up and getting ready for church—except for the back of her head.  She missed brushing her hair.  It was all over the place.  Brushed on the sides—but pretty messy at the back.  It was ‘bed-head’ extraordinary!


But then, God show up.

The lady directly behind her had just returned to her seat.  She had participated in making some kind of announcement, and upon sitting, she became a living Jesus.  She reached out and smoothed the elderly lady’s hair, stroking it kindly and lovingly until it lay flat like the sides.  It was the sweetest, kindest thing I’d seen so far at church.  It was a God moment. It was at that moment that I sensed God showing up. The anointing of smoothing ruffled hair ministry of elderly ladies.  It was done gently, with no embarrassment or show.  Just love and kindness.  No spotlight.  No recognition. No platform.  No applause.  It brought a tear to my eye—I want to be one who smooths out unkempt souls and brings them to Jesus.  


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