When my young sons were desperately needing haircuts, I took them to a different hair salon. It was bustling with beauticians trimming and cutting. As I sat with my back against the front window, I observed a middle-aged man with very long brown hair getting a perm. I was intrigued by this combination of a long haired man and a permanent wave so I listened in on the fairly loud conversation he was having with the cosmetologist. They were both discussing making the best of bad situations. While the hair dresser wrapped a small section of his hair in a square piece of paper and a plastic roller, the man confidently stated, “I want to get better not bitter with time.” That was the first time I had heard that combination of words, and I loved it! What a difference that one vowel could make! After that encounter, I thought to myself that I agreed with the stranger in the hair dresser’s chair. With time, I, too, wanted to become better and not bitter. When life is difficult, and God seems distant, I prayed that I would not become frustrated, hopeless, and resentful. I also learned that I could learn valuable lessons from anyone God decided I should cross paths with.

Father God, help us always have tender hearts towards You. May we not have callous hearts when circumstances are unpleasant, discouraging, and hard to accept. Equip us to get rid of all bitterness. Amen.