To Wear or Not To Wear

Written By Betty Predmore

1 CORINTHIANS 11:1-16

(August 17)

I love hats. I have several cute ball caps. Some even have a special place in the back for my ponytail. I have wide-rimmed sun hats in various colors. I especially love the Fall colors. Just recently, I bought a beautiful striped straw hat. Not sure what I will wear it with, but it was too cute to pass up.

I once wore one of my wide-rimmed black hats to a Fall festival at First Christian Church. Pastor Ed told me my hat looked like an outlaw. Hmmm... that wasn't the look I was going for.

As much as I love these hats, I also have trouble wearing them as often as I could. I have outfits they would look really cute with, but some days I lack the self-confidence to just put in on and go. I second guess myself. "Maybe everyone will think I look ridiculous." "Maybe I will stick out like a sore thumb." (Who came up with that anyways? I never look at people's thumbs!)

Paul had a few things to say about head coverings. (No, they did not have my lovely wide-brimmed hats in those days.). There was much discussion over the length of hair that was acceptable and whether or not a woman should wear a head covering when praying.

There are many cultures where long hair on a man is appropriate. (Like my toddler grandson's man bun.) But Paul is speaking specifically about Corinth and the culture that existed there.

Long hair on a man was thought to be a sign of male prostitution in the pagan temples. On the flip side of that, if you were a woman and you had SHORT hair, you were considered a prostitute.

In the Corinthian culture, the Christian women kept their hair long and wore a covering over their head while praying in respect to their place beneath the man and God. Any Christian woman with short hair would have a really hard time being a believable witness for Christ in that culture.

To wear or not to wear ... that is what the women of Corinth had to decide. To go with the flow and do the expected would help them be an example to others. To live on the wild side and cut those locks, and to pray without a head covering, would bring shame to them and most likely a bad reputation.

To wear or not to wear ... that is for me to decide. Should I include one of my stylish hats in my next outfit? Or will I stick out like that unseen sore thumb? It all depends on what I am wearing and where I am going. What is the climate and culture? What is the norm?

Oh well, I've never been normal anyways!! At least my hair is on the longer side! WHEW!! THAT'S a relief!!

Betty Predmore

Betty Predmore is a writer, blogger, speaker and ministry leaders. She is the founder of Mom-Sense, Inc., a ministry designed for mentorship, connection and service to women of all life circumstances. Through this ministry, women are encouraged and supported with scripture and life application. Mom-Sense helps women overcome life struggles through small group classes with biblical curriculum, individual counseling, bible studies, and other areas of support.

Betty also directs the Imperial Valley Life Center, which is a non-profit faith-based pro life women’s resource center. She has a passion for saving the unborn and supporting mothers through pregnancy and motherhood.

Betty loves to speak at events, sharing the love of Jesus with other women. She does this through practical life application mingled with God’s word, and sprinkled with humor. Having experienced a broken home, divorce, abuse, grief, single motherhood, blended families, and adoption, she uses the broken places and movement of God in her own life to share His word in an inspiring way. She enjoys sharing her blogs on social media as a way of reaching out on a broader spectrum. Betty has many speaking topics which can be found on her website: www.bettypredmore.com

As an author, she has had the opportunity to impact women and reach deep into their hearts with her words of inspiration and encouragement. Through Pondering Virtue and Whispered Grace, she has created wonderful tools for the woman who is seeking direction in her spiritual walk.

Betty serves on the writing team of A Wife Like Me, and is also a contributor to Moms Encouraging Moms and Gift of Thorns. Her blogs have appeared in several magazine publications throughout the years including Southern Faith Magazine, Purposeful Life, and Aspiring Woman Magazine.

While Betty thrives on her ministry opportunities, her greatest blessings come from being a wife to Jim and a mama to their wonderful collection of children, who bring joy, laughter, and an occasional tear to her days.


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