What Does Your Beard Represent?

For those of you that know me, and as others may have inferred from the name of my blog, I have a beard.
My beard has been a work in progress for a little over 6 months now, and though it's not massive, it sure gets a lot of compliments; and comments alike.

The way the beard started was simply laziness. I stopped shaving in mid October 2014, and refrained during No Shave November, a recognition/awareness activity for cancer that I have participated in for the last few years.
After this, I made the decision that I wanted the beard to stay more long term. I made a goal to grow a "Yeard" [1 year worth of beard growth]! I would then reconvene and decide what I would do with the beard.


Recently, I had a friend ask me something about my beard that I have never been asked before. "What's the symbolism of the beard?"

I'll admit, I'd never really thought about it. But in a fit of inspiration, I answered her, "It started out as laziness; and now it's turning into a bit of a hobby. But it represents patience. I have had a lot go on in the last few months, and I've had to be really patient with God. And though the beard started before everything else, it kinda reminds me that sometimes God has great things in store for us. But we have to go through the awkward itchy painful stages of life before we can get where he wants us to be."



Patience:

I am terrible with this noun. I have little to none most of the time. However, each morning, I wake up and look in the mirror and have a visible symbol to remind me that, no matter how awful I may think I am at giving things time, and having the capacity to accept or tolerate things in my life, I CAN do it.

I think back to what I said to this friend of mine, and I see how true, and deep the lesson I learned is. Without likely meaning to, she asked me something that forced me to teach myself a lesson through my response.

God never said life would be easy, but he said it would be worth it. When growing a beard, there are stages where it gets itchy, awkward, annoying, and for most men, simply too much to take. This often results in shaved faces. Unfortunately, life isn't easily shaved when it begins to become simply too much to take. Patience, enduring to the end, and faith however are all things that if exercised will get you through those stages in life until you can finally lift off from the "face" of life.

Beards don't just stay in a perfect shape though once they get longer. Often times certain sections grow longer and faster than others. Some hairs rebel a little and grow in whatever direction they choose. I personally use different products to "tame" my beard including beard oils, balms, conditioners, and combs. Occasionally I am forced to trim my beard back a bit to even out those sections that try to grow longer than everything else.
Each of these tools allow me to mold my beard into the shape I would like, and allow my beard to shine and be more healthy than ever!

Life is exactly the same. Having patience is only half the battle. Sure you may be able to get through your trials over time. But you must also be oiling, combing through, conditioning, and trimming yourself to mold you into the person you need to be so that you can shine and be better and more healthy than ever before! 

It started out as laziness, and transitioned into a bit of a hobby. But my beard now has a deeper meaning to me than ever before, and I get to be reminded of that every day.

What does your "beard" represent to you? Are you doing the necessary things to maintain and refine your "beard" and achieve your full potential? Don't feel like you need to "shave" in life, because through God, all things are eternal, and possible. He will help grow, maintain, and mold you into the person you need to be. Into the person he wants you to be.