“You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart. I will be found by you, declares the Lord” —Jeremiah 29:13
It was No Shave November and my husband, along with several men in his office, decided to join in this friendly competition for the benefit of charity. The rules are that you are to shave or trim all facial hair by November 1 and you are not to shave (or trim) again until December 1. Other employees can make financial pledges to see who grows the most facial hair during the month. The race is on… talk about testosterone.
Over the years, Rob has had various styles of beards, sideburns, goatees, and mustaches. I liken this to the many haircuts, colors, and styles I’ve enjoyed. The difference is that despite his different variations of facial hair, Rob has always sported a mustache. In fact he hasn’t shaved his mustache in well over 30 years.
After trick-or-treating on October 31st, our sons, Spencer and Alec—who help their dad shave regularly—reminded him that it was time to shave for the big event. When Rob mentioned it was all coming off, I delicately warned him that I didn’t think it was a good idea to shave his mustache too. But he was committed to the effort and reminded me he’s doing it, “Because I said I would…” He was going to live up to his promise.
My three men went into the bathroom, shut the door and warned me, “No girls allowed.” Before they emerged, there was a startling shriek of distress emanating from Spencer. Nearly 12 years old at the time, he was crying hysterically. Alec followed suit. Worried that their dad was bleeding profusely or some serious malady had occurred, I rushed through the bathroom door expecting to find a gruesome scene from some horror movie.
No blood.
Everyone was safely intact. My heart started to beat again and I was able to catch my breath. But who was this man in the bathroom with my two little men? I barely recognized my husband without his mustache. I have never seen Rob without it in the near 20 years since we met, and I must admit that I too was taken back. The boys hated it. They squealed, “It looks horrible! You shouldn’t have shaved your mustache!”
Rob was a bit dismayed as well. He didn’t like it. I must admit that I wasn’t a fan of this new look either. We got through the drama that evening and wearily went to bed. When we awoke the next morning and glanced at his completely shaven face, we were once again uncomfortable with his new features. We wanted to see the man with the thick mustache—the familiar face we knew and loved so well. As the days passed, the new look grew on me. When the shadow of his forthcoming beard and mustache was evident the boys and I became more comfortable around him.
Because I Said I Would
Rob had the opportunity to hear a speaker who was not typical for the corporate venue. Alex Sheen, founder of the company, Because I Said I Would, captivated his audience. His business model is based on a simple concept. Keep your promises. He provides promise cards which are blank business cards with this simple phrase, because I said I would, printed in the bottom right corner. All you have to do is write your promise on the card as a symbol of your honor and give it to your intended recipient.
It all began when Alex spoke the eulogy at his father’s funeral. His father was a man of his word and always did what he said he was going to do. According to him, “The promises we make and keep and those we choose to dishonor define us and this world.” After that day, Alex offered to send 10 promise cards to anyone anywhere in the world at no cost to them. This set off a chain of events to the scope of which he may never understand. The response was overwhelming.
As much as I was disappointed that Rob shaved his mustache, I was proud that my husband chose to honor his commitment to No Shave November for the benefit of someone else. When he first came home from that business trip with promise cards in hand, he posted one on my side of the bathroom mirror. It said, “I promise to love you—always.”
Expectations As they talked and discussed these things with each other, Jesus himself came up and walked along with them; but they were kept from recognizing him. —Luke 24:15-16
The Gospel of Luke does not say what kept the men on the road to Emmaus from recognizing Jesus (Luke 24:13-19), but likely it was because they were distracted by the recent events of Christ’s cruxifixction and their disheartenment of His death—their King was not supposed to die; they were afraid. We were distracted from recognizing Rob without his facial hair by our preconceived ideas (of what we think he should look like). The disciples were distracted by their own worries and disappointment. The boys and I were distracted by what was unfamiliar to us—by what we expected.
Earlier in the Gospel of Luke, Jesus told His disciples very clearly that He was going to be arrested, executed, and on the third day rise from the dead. Jesus told them these things were going to occur ahead of time. But Luke says, “They did not grasp what was said” (Luke 18:34). Apparently, the disciples had their own preconceived ideas for Jesus’ future. They were expecting Jesus to seize power and launch a rebellion against the Romans. Jesus was not supposed to die, and when He did, they certainly did not expect to see Him alive again.
Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be frightened, and do not be dismayed, for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go. —Joshua 1:9
What a blessing to be walking and talking to Jesus—and the disciples almost blew it. They were with the man they dearly loved so much, and they didn’t recognize Him. They knew the prophecy that was to be fulfilled, and here He was right before their eyes. Their expectations had gotten in the way. Perhaps they too needed personally inscribed promise cards that said, “because I said I would…”
Promise Cards
According to Clint Byars of Forward Ministries, God said yes to over 3000 promises. But, as stated in Jeremiah 29:13, we must seek Him first. He says we will find Him when we seek him whole-heartedly, but I wonder if we will recognize Him. The disciples, who spent long periods of time with their beloved Jesus, didn’t recognize Him only days after the resurrection. Do our preconceived notions of what He should look like or how He answers our prayers get in the way? What happens when our expectations are not met?
If Mr. Byars is correct, then I should have a stack of over 3000 promise cards in my possession. I don’t always recognize the promises that God has made. I don’t even know that I know all of the promises He has made. Looking back at that simple business card promise Rob gave to me a few years ago, I know I can put great faith in it, in his conviction. Why then, knowing that God has made promises to me, don’t I often recognize them for what they are?
Rob’s facial hair was back to normal in no time; he was the same guy I had come to know and love over the years. His voice was familiar as was his touch. He loves me—always…because he said he would. If I can recognize him, a mere mortal, for who he is and accept what he says with trust, can you imagine what it’s like to put your full, unwavering faith in Jesus, who laid down His life for me, and recognize His promises—all of them.
…because He said He would.
“You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart. I will be found by you, declares the Lord” —Jeremiah 29:13-14