Natasha has been a long-time customer and sweet encouragement to us here at Garlands of Grace. You can imagine that we were all thrilled to receive a beautiful email containing her headcovering testimony along with photos of her and her family! I want to share a portion of her testimony here. Natasha and here family is currently serving the Lord in Africa!
“…. I grew up in a Christian home, and was baptized at fifteen. But like most adolescent “American Christians” my life did not really change once I become a Christian. It’s not like I ever partied or used drugs. I had good friends, and I went to church every Sunday. I even participated in bible studies during the week. Christianity appeared to be a pretty easy thing for me, I just assumed I was very blessed! Or so I thought… “Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they shall be satisfied… Blessed are those who have been persecuted for the sake of righteousness, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. Blessed are you when people insult you and persecute you, and falsely say all kinds of evil against you because of Me.” (Matthew 5:6-11) I had never THIRSTED for righteousness, and I definitely had never been persecuted for my beliefs. It was not until 2011 that I had finally gotten it. Total transformation. The Lord took my life, and ran with it.
“O God, I have tasted Thy goodness, and it has both satisfied me and made me thirsty for more. I am painfully conscious of my need for further grace. I am ashamed of my lack of desire. O God, the Triune God, I want to want Thee; I long to be filled with longing; I thirst to be made more thirsty still. Show me Thy glory, I pray Thee, so that I may know Thee indeed. Begin in mercy a new work of love within me. Say to my soul ‘Rise up my love, my fair one, and come away.’ Then give me grace to rise and follow Thee up from this misty lowland where I have wondered so long.” (Tozer) My heart has been yearning for His wisdom to be revealed to me ever since I cried out that prayer. I had fallen deeply in love, and I wanted nothing more then to please my King. Instead of looking to my own desires, I started seeking out the favor of God. Instead of finding bondage, and legalism— I found freedom and jubilation! It was during this time that I started reading a book called “The Kingdom That Turned The World Upside Down,” by David W. Bercot. It was in this book that I came across the passage about women covering their heads while praying or prophesying; actually reading that passage completely unbiased for the first time. “But I want you to understand that Christ is the head of every man, and the man is the head of a woman, and God is the head of Christ. Every man who has something on his head while praying or prophesying disgraces his head. But every woman who has her head uncovered while praying or prophesying disgraces her head, for she is one and the same as the woman whose head is shaved.” (1 Corinthians 11:4-6) If you are unfamiliar with that scripture, I would encourage you to open your Bible, and read it for yourself. After all, half a chapter is dedicated to the subject of headship. I knew then what the Holy Spirit was telling me to do— wear a head covering during worship and dress more modestly. Since then, I have slowly incorporate the head covering more and more. Now, it is a rare sight to see me without it…..
I would like to close by thanking Garlands of Grace for making my journey that much easier. It is encouraging to find out that you are not the only one with certain thoughts and convictions. I had no idea where to even start buying coverings in the beginning, so I used a simple scarf. After a little google-ing :) I came across Garlands of Grace. Very practical and lovely.
“Charm is deceitful and beauty is vain, but a woman who fears the Lord, she shall be praised.”
Because of Jesus,Natasha
“And how shall they preach, except they be sent? as it is written, How beautiful are the feet of them that preach the gospel of peace, and bring glad tidings of good things!”
Romans 10:15
