Search Me (and my hair!)

Any Black woman who wears her hair in any type of natural state can probably relate to being stopped during the TSA gate entry process to have their hair “checked”.  Today was no exception for me.  I’ve worn my hair in its natural state off and on since 2010.  My most recent sprint has lasted for six years…this may be the time that sticks.  We’ll see.  During that time, I’ve worn it in protective styles such as voluminous crochet braided curls, braided updos and most often in a wash and go, of various lengths.  My current style of the day is a (very) tapered on the sides and about six inches on the top.  There’s not a lot to it.  It’s actually much shorter than usual but that’s another story.  I’ll just say my barber Janet is amazing!  If you need a recommendation, reach out to me.

So back to the TSA.  Because of a snafu with my Known Traveler Number with my ticketing, I didn’t have the pleasure of TSA Pre-check for this flight.  I had to live on the wild side and go through the normal process of removing almost all my clothes, shoes, removing electronic devices, etc.  Can we just take a moment and be grateful for TSA Pre-check?  The Word does remind us to give thanks for all things, right? After being dismissed from the body scanner, I thought I was home free.  Almost (darn it!) …until the agent said, “I need to check your hair.”  Of course, I’m thinking “but I don’t hardly even have any hair!”

However, I chose to check my attitude and remember that these folks are just doing their job.  If they need to check my hair for the good of everyone, then I’m not the one who’s going to give them a hard time today.  Besides, I have somewhere to go, and this is a small thing.  So go ahead and search me.  I know what’s up in there.  My hair had been freshly shampooed earlier this morning, treated with some leave-in conditioner, and finished with a mix of gel and curl cream.

I’m an okay flyer, but it’s still my habit to pray during takeoff and landing.  As I was listening and talking to God, the scripture from Psalm 139:23-24 (NIV) came to mind,

Search me, God, and know my heart;
    test me and know my anxious thoughts.

See if there is any offensive way in me,
    and lead me in the way everlasting.

It made me think, what if that TSA Agent was my Lord and Savior and what if He were doing the searching today?  What would he have found?  What does He desire to find? What I pray He found was a worshipful heart.  One full of gratitude to be alive today.  One full of humility for the privilege to be able to travel.  One full of hope for what the day will bring. One full of adoration that despite all the crazy that is going on in the world, He is still sovereign.

Let’s pray…

Dear Lord, I am in awe of how you speak in the most common of situations.  I am amazed that you care enough that you would single me out as a reminder that you care about the little things, the big things, and all the things.  Lord, I ask that you constantly remind me to do periodic self-checks to make sure that you would find what is pleasing to you in me.  And when you don’t Lord, and trust me You will, please prompt your Holy Spirit that lives within me to tidy up and get back right with you.  I am thankful for your grace and your mercy that restores my soul and a right relationship with you.  In the most perfect name I know, Jesus Christ, I pray.  Amen.