I have recently been studying a certain portion of scripture lately that has been on my heart for a time. 1 Corinthians 11 as many of you know is about whether or not a lady is to wear a covering over her head. Specifically it refers to wearing a covering as an outward sign of submitting to the headship of the Christian faith. But I would have you know, that the head of every man is Christ; and the head of the woman is the man; and the head of Christ is God.
1 Cor 11:3 (KJV)
I am to submit to my husband, he in turn is to submit to Christ as Christ was submitting to God to put it plainly. This does not mean I am to follow my husbands wishes if it violates God’s laws (that is a whole nother post), but instead means I am to respect and honor my husband as the head of our family.
But every woman that prayeth or prophesieth with her head uncovered dishonoureth her head: for that is even all one as if she were shaven. 6 For if the woman be not covered, let her also be shorn: but if it be a shame for a woman to be shorn or shaven, let her be covered.
1 Cor 11:5-6 (KJV)
Some women choose to cover only in church, others cover constantly (I am not talking about covering for modesty although that is another reason, and I am behind that idea also). The fact that many times I say prayers quietly to myself nearly all the time (I need lots of the Lord’s help) leads me to be one of the latter ladies. I do not feel my husband is led to wish me to cover 24/7 however. I had actually been feeling led to cover for quite some time now and occasionally would at home to kind of feel it out you might say. I began reading about the topic and studying it more but not really discussing it with my husband until I felt led. Well God is wonderous, as I was fiddling around with how to wear a particular cover one day my husband said how nice it looked, and I asked him if he really thought that. He said yes and I briefly explained about my studies and he stated that he felt I should cover as I wished but that he did like it. I praise God for that, I feel if I want something but wait on God to point my husband toward it also (and not me pestering him about it) then it is truly not my will but the Lord’s.
Judge in yourselves: is it comely that a woman pray unto God uncovered? 14 Doth not even nature itself teach you, that, if a man have long hair, it is a shame unto him? 15 But if a woman have long hair, it is a glory to her: for her hair is given her for a covering. 16 But if any man seem to be contentious, we have no such custom, neither the churches of God.
1 Cor 11:13-16 (KJV)
As for a woman being shorn and shamed, there was no law for this and Jesus never addressed it, so it really mustn’t be a huge deal. The Church of Corinth needed to decide for themselves whether a woman should cover and when. It is so today, covering is a very personal choice and neither right or wrong from woman to woman to either cover or not cover so long as she is fully recognizing the headship and fulfilling God’s will through her husband.
I have fashioned a covering for this post out of a pretty piece of cotton fabric 15” X 36” and just single tied it over a ponytail at my nape. I do have to say that other than a stiff neck from holding my head funny because I was afraid it might slip (why was I doing this??? I was unconscious I was even doing it until my neck started to bother me) it was very comfy and it did not slip at all (well till a certain 2 year old wanted to rub it at bedtime).
I am growing out my hair and once it is past the funky not-quite-long-enough-to-pull-up stage I hope to be able to better fashion it. I am not convicted of hiding all my hair under a veiling as of yet, since the scriptures speak of covering the head and not the hair so much. I hope to get a few more coverings to wear and will take pictures as I am able.
So do you cover? I would really like to hear of how God convicted you to begin covering. If you are convicted to not cover I would enjoy hearing your stories also.
Mandy
5 comments:
I don't typically cover for the same reasons, but I do wear coverings quite frequently. I also disliked how they slipped or felt like they were slipping. My solution (which I noticed on friends who do cover all the time) was two barrettes to hold it in place. I just slip one on each side. I like the covering you have on as well.
I went through a time of head covering and skirt wearing. It was a time after I left the workforce, of a professional field, and came home to have my children. I wasn't taking care of myself. I wasn't wearing business suits, and often wore sweats all day. I was invited to go to a homeschool meeting at a church whose women wore modest clothing, and I thought, Oh, I should throw on a skirt - so I don't offend their elders. and I heard. Gently but surely - "Why aren't you worried about offending me? Wear the skirt for me." That day - I had an old comfy pair of my husbands levi's on. I took them off and slipped on a broom skirt. I went almost two years, of God saying - submit to me. Submit to your husband. I had quite a few head coverings, my favorite one a croched triangle. I feel - in my heart - that I have come full circle, under the headship of my husband, covered by him, submitting to him. Now - it is not the article of clothing - but is it female clothing. Would my husband ever accidently put it on (which was an issue before). Hair is longish but healthy, My hubby likes it long, I'd rather have it short - it is my covering. I love to sit with an apron over my head in deep prayer, but do not have alot of time at the sink to do so. :) The clothing - transformed the heart- the obedience - changed my character.
I agree it is the attitude that matters most. My heart is still struggling to obey and submit. I love that we have the freedom within ourselves to choose.
I think the fabric came from Walmart a few years ago, thank you.
I just started to cover a few weeks ago. My husband is unsaved, though a GOOD man, full of Godly virtues. I began to cover out of a conviction of obedience to God. I have walked in unforgiveness, bitterness, and disobedience for the last 10 years...a state that has brought with it many physical and emotional ailments with it. I felt the Lord calling me to cover as an outward sign of obedience toward Him. My husband is fine with it. I am not of the belief that covering is a salvation issue, but I am finding that for me, it is something that gives me a humbleness of heart. I am amazed at how my heart has responded to obeying that conviction. I never thought I would be able to forgive the people who tortured my daughter...people who outwardly worship satan and those you would think it would be "ok" to hate. I have found He not only does not want me to hate them, but to feel His love for them. *sigh*...all that to bring me to covering? (Aren't you glad you asked?) As for my covering, no one has asked me about it(though my adult son asked me if I was now a gypsy LOL) at all and I am grateful for that...I was concerned it would appear that I was being "Religious". I live in a city of 55,000 people and you know, I have NEVER seen one woman who covers, outside of a nun.
My favorite kind of coverings are Tichels. They are about 36" square and you fold them in a triangle and tie them on like a bandana and then you make a bun out of the rest. Go to You Tube and see the one from Cover Your Hair titled "How to tie a Tichel." I think I spelled that right. I also use clips to hold them in place. (I like the pre-tied ones too)
Bren my heart goes out to you. Thank you for sharing your story. I am sorry about your daughter, she seems to be growing into such a beautiful young woman from the looks of it. (I read her story and her brothers on your other blog) You are an amazing inspiration to me for all of that. It seems we have parallel lives in some ways.
I have seen women near me cover but mainly wearing the hijab style of muslim women (which I know anyone may wear that style not just muslims). We are near a large city and we do have a large number of immigrants from around the world so to me it is not surprising to see. I have not seen the video, I will be checking that out. I am thinking of sewing my clips under neath my more stubborn ones, somehow.
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