I was reading a well-known, quite controversial story recently, by an unknown author called ‘The Barber Shop Story’.
The story tells of a man who visits the barber’s for his regular haircut. They know each other well so the conversation flows. Eventually the barber turns the topic of conversation to the existence of God and his unbelief that God exists because of all the bad things that happen in the world. The man responds in silent thought, not wanting to engage in a dispute, pays the barber for his services and leaves a generous tip.
Stepping onto the street, he notices an ‘individual experiencing homelessness’ with long unruly hair sitting on a park bench. He approaches the ‘individual’, talks with them awhile and asks them to follow him to the barber’s.
The man goes inside to speak to his barber and gently questions the existence of barbers, reasoning that there would not be people with long unruly hair on the streets, if barbers existed! The barber responds by pointing out that if people need their hair cut, but don’t come directly to him, then he can’t help them!
The man invites the ‘individual experiencing homelessness’ into the barber’s and pays for him to have his hair and his beard cut by the barber, then leaves to go home.
This story, although controversial, reads like a parable found in the Bible and resonates a deeper meaning to me where I discover a whispering, profound spiritual truth that, in seeking the divine grace of faith, the trials and tribulations of life are faced, not alone, but hand in hand with the one who loves us unconditionally.
Trust in God was not something that happened on my faith journey straight away. However, the realisation that I was loved was the first thing that I remember holding onto and through this love, I experienced a hope and a faith that grew, until I eventually learned to trust God with my life.
A life lesson this Lent: remember to keep your appointment at the barber’s!