My wife cuts hair and she does a great job with it. Not only does she do a great job, but she enjoys it. She cuts hair in our kitchen.

Let me back up a little bit. When we got married, LeeAnn started going to night school to learn how to cut hair. I remember a few nights a week I was left alone to watch movies or play Playstation (the first one…man I’m old) by myself. Slowly but surely I saw her really become great at what she did. She worked for a very good friend of ours, Martino Cartier, which owned his own shop in South Jersey. He is one crazy person and it can be witnessed on Bravo’s show “Tabitha’s Salon Takeover”.

LeeAnn learned and was taught by the best. I remember many times hanging out at the salon in NJ for hours while she would finish up. If anything, it was fun for her. Martino always had stuff going on to keep it exciting. LeeAnn’s clients really loved her also.

Well, fast forward to today. We have 3 beautiful children. LeeAnn is a stay at home mom and proud of it. She keeps pretty busy with them, but still thinks about the days she used to go to the salon and make people look beautiful. I feel for her sometimes. We made an important decision to work hard to allow her to stay at home and raise the kids. Her going to a salon everyday isn’t really an option right now. Needless to say, it doesn’t take the desire to cut hair away. When you are good at what you do, it becomes a passion that you enjoy doing. So God changed the script a little.

Back to the beginning. My wife cuts hair in our kitchen. Let me tell you that all sort of people come into our house and get their hair cut in my kitchen. They wash their hair in our sink. It’s not as glamorous as a high end salon, but a lot cheaper. But here’s the real deal, my wife is building relationships with these women. They are coming to not only get their hair “did” but also to fellowship. LeeAnn is doing something that she loves and making it part of her ministry. Instead of dreaming about her passion, she’s doing it. Maybe it’s a little different than what she dreamed about, but God is giving her the best of both worlds.  Stay at home-haircutting mom.

Isn’t that amazing? God actually gives us passions and talents to use for HIS glory. He gives us these gifts so that we can bless others and allow them to feel God’s love in the same way. I can’t say that one day she won’t work in a nice salon again, but LeeAnn is making the most out of what she’s been given. She does it with pride and people walk away looking beautiful.

We are now finding neighbors coming over for haircuts and colors. People are asking about our church and questions about God. I’m excited to see how God uses the very thing you love, for His glory. Think about it, if God designed you, don’t you think your talents and desires are there for a reason? Maybe they don’t happen the way YOU planned, but God’s plans are always better in the long run.

If you are a carpenter, build things for God’s glory. If you are a musician, write great songs that speak of His love. If you are a teacher, teach your class how great it is to live an honorable and righteous life. If you love football, invite people over for fellowship during the big game. If you cut hair, use that time to talk about Christ and build each other up, instead of the normal “hair gossip” that goes on in some salons.

God had a purpose when He designed you. It wasn’t an accident that you love the things you love. Use your talents to honor the one that gave you them. Trust Him. Maybe God wants to find new and creative ways for you to use the very gifts He gave you?

M