Bonnie Gray
  • Stories
  • Meet Bonnie
  • Speaking
  • Books
    • Sweet Like Jasmine
    • Whispers of Rest Book
    • Finding Spiritual Whitespace
  • Free Resources
    • Coffee Break For Your Soul Podcast
    • Free Goodies
    • Book Club
    • Fave Reads
    • Top Posts
  • Ask Bonnie

Hi There, God. This is Bonnie, Your Regular Customer

By Bonnie Gray • August 5, 2009 • 4 Comments

The world works in a hierarchical structure.  Everyone knows there is an “A” List, a “B” List, and the I’m-Sorry-You-Are-Not-Listed “X” List.  I was reminded of this just last week when I called to book an appointment for a haircut.

I needed a haircut. Badly. In like, I have NEVER gone this long without a haircut. Put it this way, if you were to take a picture of me at this very moment, you would say, “Geez, that girl needs a hair cut.”

I called to make an appointment for a hair stylist this weekend. A new hairstylist.

You see, I’ve been going to the same hair dresser in downtown San Francisco for decades, since I was a rookie fresh out of college, working my first job in the city’s Financial District. Ever since that fateful day, I have never had a bad hair day. I haven’t switched hair dressers since. Up until now.

With two kids under four years of age, I can’t just take a morning out for an hour long drive to San Francisco, lounge around a salon, only to drive a third hour back. Time is a precious commodity. I’d rather spend it with Hubby and hang out with the kids together.

I need someone close by to do the job. Quick, but still good.

Luckily, I got a great recommendation. I dial the number. The call connects.

“Hello. This is Fancy-Schmancy-Salon,” a young girl with a friendly voice answers.

“Hi, I’m calling to make an appointment with So&So. Does she have an opening this Saturday? I can come in anytime.”

I hold my breath, whispering a prayer that I’ll get an appointment. God, you know how badly I need this!

“Oh, this Saturday? She is completely booked. I’m sorry.”

I’m not giving up so easily. “Well, is there any way you could put me on the wait list? I can be available at a moment’s notice. I live nearby.”

Pause. I smell an opportunity here.

“You see, I really need a haircut. Like desperately. I just survived having a newborn and I had my last haircut when I was pregnant. I really need one badly.”

“Well… There is one opening So&So has, but she likes to save it for special customer requests. Tell you what, I’ll book you for this Saturday.”

Thank you, Jesus! Uh-oh. Wait a minute, she tells me. Muffled voices talk.

“Are you a regular customer of So&So?” she asks.

“No, I’m a new customer. My-Friend-From-Apple referred me. She is a regular customer.”

More muffled voices talk. Another voice speaks on the other end.

“Hello. This is The-Manager-Of-The-Salon. I’m sorry, there was a mix up here. So&So is only taking regular customers at this time. Her schedule is completely full and she is no longer taking on new customers. Again, I am sorry.”

Wow. I can’t even get on the schedule. This was very upsetting. I felt so small.

So, a new customer is less important than a regular customer? … Uh, yeah. That’s the way it works, sister.

My hair appointment wasn’t meant to be. It still looks like a beehive is hiding under my hair.

Thank God, Jesus still loves me, I tell myself, as I hang up the phone in defeat.  Jesus loves me, even if my hair looks puffy. Even if I’m not important enough for So&So to take care of.

I’m glad I’m God’s regular customer. He’ll never bump me off His appointment book.

Dear God, I’m number one in Your book, right?  .. Behind Abraham, Moses, Joseph, Peter, Paul..  — Ugh. I’m not feeling better yet. I know, I know. You tell me that you love all Your children the same. No more. No less. Still. God, help me to believe that this is true. Because right now, I don’t feel so good.

The way things work down here, they just can’t be true with You, in the spiritual realm, right? It just can’t be so.

No, Bonnie. That is not how I work. In fact, it is the other way around. I take special notice of those who may not look so important in the world.

I smile. Oh, good.

“A bruised reed He will not break and a smoldering wick He will not snuff out ’till He leads justice to victory.”  Matthew 12:20

Have you ever gotten the “Sorry, only VIPs here” treatment?

Do you ever feel like you are on top of God’s “A” List or My-Favorite-People List?

Or do you struggle at times, like I do, feeling like you’re just one of the masses in God’s address book?


GodJesusprayerseekingspiritual

Share With Others

Share Your Voice

Pull up a Chair

This is a quiet space for you and me. I'd love to hear your thoughts. Click to comment »

4 Comments

Get Faith Shots

Get each post served up hot and fresh in your mailbox.

[newsletter_signup_form id=0]

Take The Water Bottle Truth Test
Quitting Can Be An Act of Faith

Connect with Me

Bonnie Gray

Welcome to Faith Barista – a blog that serves up shots of faith for everyday life. Posts brewed hot & fresh. Hang out. Swap some stories.

You Might Also Like

  • Never Been Kissed: When You Wonder If You’ll Ever Find “The One”

  • How to Choose Joy When Joy Seems Easy for Others But Hard for You

  • What A Vet Taught Me About My Personal Battles (10 Lessons From Vietnam)

  • If You’re Stressed About The Election: God’s 5 Powerful Promises To Encourage You

4 Comments

  • Reply Billy Coffey August 5, 2009 at 6:55 am

    You see, this is why I like being a guy. A haircut for me involves little more than a chair out on the back deck and a pair of clippers in my wife’s hands.

    Yes, I get the “Sorry, only VIPs here” treatment often. It doesn’t bother me nearly as much as it used to, though I’ll admit it would be nice to sometimes be on the inside looking out rather than the other way around.

    But then I remember that the people whom God has used the most in history were shepherds, fishermen, and housewives. Regular folks. That does seem like the way He would do things, huh?

    • Reply Bonnie Gray August 5, 2009 at 7:35 am

      @Billy:

      Haircuts al fresco from your VIP. Aren’t you livin’ large? Oh, yeah. Guys’ haircuts are like scrambled eggs. Easy.

      “But then I remember that the people whom God has used the most in history were shepherds, fishermen, and housewives. Regular folks.”

      Good list. And great point. You just knocked the spiritual giants down to my size: Regular. God is awesome. Thanks, man.

  • Reply Peter P August 5, 2009 at 12:38 pm

    I’ve never gotten the “sorry, only VIP’s” treatment but then, I very, very rarely do anything where you have to book in advance. They don’t have a wait list at McDonald’s and my sister in law cuts my hair when she comes by.

    I think if I do ever encounter that, I’ll try the old “Do you know who I am? I am child of the King of Kings!” trick. Think it will work?

  • Reply Bonnie Gray August 5, 2009 at 9:03 pm

    @Peter: That will definitely work!

Leave a Reply to Bonnie Gray Cancel Reply

Notify me of followup comments via e-mail. You can also subscribe without commenting.

SUBSCRIBE TO MY BLOG

Sign up to refresh your soul with God’s love and rest. I’ll send you encouragement to nurture your heart and wellbeing. I’ll cheer you on!

SUBSCRIBE NOW»

Pull up a chair. Refresh your soul. Be inspired with soul care, stories & encouragement here. Breathe. This is a quiet space to swap some stories. Share your journey. Be the beloved. Be you. Serving up shots of faith for everyday life.
Bonnie Gray

Whispers of Rest

““If the Kingdom of Heaven is like a treasure hidden in a field,
Whispers of Rest is a map to that peace uninhibited.”

– RELEVANT Magazine
“

Order Now »

Whispers of Rest Book Trailer

Where I Barista

Hangout On Instagram

Instagram has returned invalid data.

Follow Me

Archives

Compassion Blogger

Compassion Blogger

Sometimes it takes more faith for us to enter into a child's story than simply praying that it changes. Experience these stories unscripted.

Read the stories»

Faith Barista Kindreds

You make this place real! This is our cafe “corkboard” of Faith Barista Kindreds. Add a photo of you to our community. 🙂 Enter your blog & choose your thumbnail.

An InLinkz Link-up


Facebook Twitter Google Plus Instagram RSS Pinterest
Bonnie Gray

Contact

© 2018 Bonnie Gray. All rights reserved. Website by Contemplate Design | Privacy Policy
Bonnie Gray
  • Stories
  • Meet Bonnie
  • Speaking
  • Books
  • Free Resources
  • Ask Bonnie