When I was seven years old, I got my fantasy doll for
Christmas. With a twist of a button, I could make Velvet’s
hair shorter or longer. I always wanted to grow long, luscious
locks, but my mom insisted a pixie cut was right for me.
Though short, my hair was thick, shiny, and beautiful—a
treasured family trait.
Then cancer came along. “It’s not too bad; the worst part
is losing your hair,” my oncologist said. My hair? Hair loss
meant I was losing the centerpiece of my appearance!
I was encouraged to cut my hair very short to ease the loss.
Three days before Christmas, I was taking a shower and
noticed a small clump of hair on the drain cover. As I looked
down, the word peace popped into my head. The next day, I
found a larger clump of hair. Peace of God! cried the voice in
my head. Each day, I experienced the “peace of God, which
surpasses all understanding” (Philippians 4:7 NKJV).
God was in charge of the thing I dreaded most. He knew
peace was what I needed to get through this tumultuous loss
without Velvet’s button to make my hair grow back.
God, You are the Prince of peace. You quiet the raging seas of my
fears with the perfect peace of Your Holy Spirit. I praise You as the One
who sits over all circumstances, even what feels like a flood. You are
enthroned as King forever. You give strength to Your people and bless
Your people with peace. Thank You for Your faithfulness in the storms
of life and for the gift of unexplainable peace in the midst of them.
Lord, I lay my appearance before Your throne. I stand amazed
that You know how many hairs are on my head and how many I will
lose as I battle with cancer. I thank You for teaching me the meaning
of true beauty through this. You desire the inner beauty of a gentle
and quiet spirit, which is of great worth in Your sight. Thank You
for Your love and patience toward me as You peel away layers of
vanity and pride. I praise You for the gift of Your peace that passes
all understanding!