The Story Behind GaBBY Bows
I can’t remember whether it was a Saturday or Sunday afternoon, but I do remember scoffing at Pastor Herbert Bailey’s Twitter handle and reply, “Sounds like a market you need to break into.” My pastor knew how much was already on my plate between being the wife, number one fan and booking agent for Comedian Mike Goodwin, the mother of a then four year-old daughter and nocturnal nine month-old son – not to mention my demanding job in the rapidly changing field of health care and policy, as well as my service at church. But as quickly as I scoffed, I was swiftly convicted by the Holy Spirit and reminded of II Chronicles 20:20, “…Believe in the Lord your God, and you will be able to stand firm. Believe in his prophets, and you will succeed.” (New Living Translation)
How dare I take his reply lightly? He didn’t have to been on Twitter, let alone respond to my rant about girls barrettes.
But he happened to be on Twitter that afternoon and happened to notice the replies from other frustrated moms who had given up on using barrettes for pigtails, braids and twists, or conceded they would have to use rubber bands with the barrettes to secure their daughters’ hairstyles.
“I can’t stand those barrettes!”
“I don’t even use them anymore.”
“When you find some that work, let me know.”
My 120 character rant was about my purchase of several barrettes, many of which would not close without hair in them, so my daughter’s thick hair didn’t stand a chance. I know our culture has deemed clergy as dispensable, but my pastor is much more than the leader of the church my family attends. He is my spiritual father. I can’t begin to tell you what a difference his and Co-Pastor Marcia Bailey’s teaching, counsel and wisdom has made in my family’s life. And even though I had that three second lapse in regard for his words, I knew that if he had encouraged me to look into this, God was backing his words and would back me in this faith journey.
And a faith journey it has truly been from the moment I responded to his reply, “Yes, sir. I’ll get right on it.”
Then I literally prayed, “Ok, God. If there is something here, You are going to have to show it to me.” Inventing the Double-Face Double-Snap Barrette was not what I had in mind when I logged on to Twitter that day to blow off some steam.