Gray as a Fashion Statement?

I recently came across an article from USA Today, quoted in part here:

As more women over 40 let their gray grow, those who have none — including model Kate Moss, singers Pink and Lady Gaga and reality star Kelly Osbourne — streak or strip their tresses to become silver foxes. “The younger you are, the more interesting it is,” says Pantene colorist Danilo. “Your head becomes a jewel — metallic, reflective and eccentric.

”Today's fashion-forward coifs echo those of '60s mavericks Andy Warhol, Edie Sedgwick and The Graduate's skunk-striped Anne Bancroft. The hues match fall's dominant pearl and pewter palette, but “it's women, not designers, who make this style statement: They're unafraid of gray,” says Michael Shaun Corby, Alterna Professional Haircare creative director.

Since I'm to filter all things through the Word of God, does the Bible speak to this?  Yep.

A gray head is a crown of glory;

It is found in the way of righteousness.

Proverbs 16:31 nasb

The glory of young men is their strength,

And the honor of old men is their gray hair.

Proverbs 20:29 nasb

I have never colored my hair.  Truth is, I really don't have to.  I've had a hidden streak of gray behind my left ear for at least ten years, and even now, at 45--almost--there are just a few noticeable silver strands gracing my head.  A dear friend once told me that that streak of gray was my wisdom, and I have fondly called it my "hidden wisdom" since then.

My conviction is to never color my hair.  Just read those verses again!!  God says that my gray head will be a crown of glory, a testament of my walk in His way of righteousness.  My gray head will be a sign of honor.  Remember your folks telling you to respect your elders?  I do not come from generations of Christians; however, I held my grandparents in high honor.  They had lived through the Great Depression, been touched by war, and counted every penny to make a life for their families.  We were to honor them.

Read David's cry to the Lord regarding his old age:

O God, You have taught me from my youth,

And I still declare Your wondrous deeds.

And even when I am old and gray, O God, do not forsake me,

Until I declare Your strength to this generation,

Your power to all who are to come.

Psalm 71:17-18 nasb (emphasis mine)

My children and I have sat at the feet of the gray-haired, listening to their stories, many of which shine with the faithfulness of God.

Goofy photo of Dad and me sharing stories on a couch on our front lawn.

Along with gray hair, I am going to inherit other things--creaky joints, wrinkles, sagging skin.  But that USA Today article didn't mention those things.  The article merely reflects the world's thinking.  The young can tint their hair, and the older can let their gray grow, but only because its uniqueness makes you look great--oh, but of course, you may need a tummy tuck, or a collagen treatment, or a little Botox under those sagging eyes.  And there are products you can use to keep that tinted color from turning flat and dull.  The world would rather have gray mean beauty, and fashion, not old age, not righteousness, not honor.  It just wants to make a fashion statement.

Charm is deceitful, and beauty is vain,

But a woman who fears the Lord, she shall be praised.

Proverbs 31:30 nasb (emphasis mine)

Back to life,
Christine

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captured by Christine Anne

Older Women Likewise

Where have all the older women gone? I need you. We need you. Yes, you--the ones who have served Christ throughout your life, lived long, experienced much, loved your husbands, taught your children. We need you.

"Older women likewise, are to be reverent in their behavior, not malicious gossips nor enslaved to much wine, teaching what is good, so that they may encourage the young women to love their husbands, to love their children, to be sensible, pure, workers at home, kind, being subject to their own husbands, so that the word of God will not be dishonored." (Titus 2:3-5 nasb)

I have found that in our current Christian (home discipleship) culture, the beginning of this verse reads more like "Middle-aged women, likewise..." We've lost a generation of Godly, older women to encourage us, yes even us middle-aged women. And trust me, these brave women of "middle age" are striving ahead, writing, teaching, encouraging us to love our husbands and our children, and the rest of these verses. Even I myself am in that category, and have spoken and written a time or two on this topic! At a recent mother-daughter weekend, this evidence is borne out:



I praise the Lord that so many women came to this event to be encouraged, and to learn how to be better husband- and children-lovers, and keepers at home. But my lament is for the older women. I've had none in my own life, no feet to sit at and learn, no tea to sip while listening. Even in our small church--which is filled with Godly women and families by which to learn--the oldest women are just a few years older than I.

I suspect that the American culture has infiltrated the church so far as to separate these Godly women from the very ones among whom they are to be living examples. Where have they gone?? They seem to live in senior housing, nursing homes, even entire "seniors-only" communities! They attend church and take part in senior groups, senior hymn sings, senior shopping trips, and senior outings to Branson, Missouri.

So, in this absence, I pray that God would keep the hearts of those of us in this middle-aged period of life. I pray that He would raise us up as a faithful generation, and show us how to live as older women true to His Word.