Hallo excellence! Properly understood and applied, GOD's Word provides the answers to all life's questions. Know his Word, meditate on it and apply it to your life. Blessed are those who trust in the LORD and place their hope in him (Jeremiah 17:7).
" For a day in Your courts is better than a thousand. I would rather be a doorkeeper in the house of my GOD Than dwell in the tents of wickedness. For the LORD GOD is a sun and shield; The LORD will give grace and glory; No good thing will He withhold From those who walk uprightly." (Psalm 84 :10-11, NKJV)
🙂 I should have learned how to do African braids when I was a teenager, by doing my cousins' and sisters' hair. But it didn't seem important, and I didn't want to learn on a doll. I never liked dolls. Neither did my sisters nor cousins. They weren't the kind of gifts we wanted. We wanted books, puzzles, balls, building sets, musical instruments and mini-kitchens.
So I came to France not knowing how to do African braids. In the town where I lived, there were only two Afro hair salons. Converted into CFA francs, their prices were 20 times higher than in Cameroon. As a student, I couldn't bring myself to pay such high prices. At the time, I considered these rates exorbitant. In the first year, I took advantage of my weekends in Tunisia and Italy to get my hair done at far more affordable rates. But, in the long term, this wasn't a solution. What's more, I had to stop traveling to these two countries. The LORD kept calling out to me 🙂 Today, whatever country I go to, it's with his approval and above all for the right reasons. He blesses my departures and arrivals.
One day, my cousin Olivia said to me: "I learned to do African braids when I joined the US Army. There are no hair salons in military camps. The schedule is so hectic that even your teammates don't have time to do your hair. You either do your own hair or cut it. I was tired of cutting my hair. I watched some tutorial videos on YouTube and started. Today, I braid my own hair, whenever and however I want. Try doing the same, you've got nothing to lose anyway."
Olivia and her sisters are the cousins I should have learned hairdressing with. Not only are we cousins, we're neighbors in Douala (Cameroon). Her parents' house is right next door to mine. I took her advice. One Friday night, I started sitting in front of my mirror. Three weeks later, I did the same exercise again. Gradually, it became a habit. Every month, I organized mini-wakes to do my hair. To keep me awake, I listened to Christian sermons and broadcasts. Months later, I truly accepted JESUS as the LORD of my life. Those mini-wakes transformed my life.
Ever since I was a child, I knew he was the SAVIOR (see the article I didn't have the words). However, recognizing him as the LORD of my life took me a long time 🙂 Glory be to him, I never regretted my choice, nor did I go backwards in my walk.
As the months went by, some comrades asked me to do their hair. I did their hair for free. But when I finished my studies, hairdressing and babysitting were sources of income until I could find a job. Today, I can go to a salon or hire an in-home hairdresser without worrying about how much it will cost. I still do my own hair while listening to preaching or Christian programs. It's very rare, but I do go to a hair salon. I go there mostly to give away free books in the name of Partage Ton Rhema.
Don't be one of those people who say they don't have time to read, listen to, study and meditate on the Word (the Bible, books, sermons or teachings). Ask GOD to help you, to show you an original way to start. Ask Him to use your needs. Ask Him to help you establish good habits in your daily life. For me, it was hairdressing. For you, it might be during your travels or at the gym. It's often in the little things of everyday life that habits that will transform our lives start.
** Hallo = Hello in Dutch (Nederlands)