Whenever he cut the hair of his head—he used to cut his hair once a year because it became too heavy for him—he would weigh it, and its weight was two hundred shekels by the royal standard. – 2 Samuel 14:26

Wednesday morning, attending to a million details in preparation for vacation, it occurred to me that I could sure use a haircut before we left town.

So (and this will elicit on the one hand, a “duh” response from our small town friends… and on the other, a “no way, that’s amazing!” reaction from our city and suburban connections) I told Rebekah I was popping out for a few minutes then strolled two and a half blocks to Main Street, where I slipped into a chair in the barber’s shop, chatted with others waiting, had my turn at the scissors, then walked back home a few minutes later.

In Wake Forest I would have had to float a request with Lauren at “Who Does Your Hair” (she’s wonderful, by the way) then hope and pray she could fit me in sometime in the next two weeks – if I’m lucky! And then – of course – drive to the appointment.

But it’s a different pace of life here, and I love it.

We didn’t get off quite so early as planned because we ended up walking over to the St. Patrick Street property to talk about the wood floors or redesign a bathroom or something. We are already excited to see what things will look like when we return.

Meanwhile today is July 4th, and I you haven’t listened yet I recommend going back to my post from July 2, “The day I became a U.S. Citizen.” I think you will enjoy the story.

And, while you are celebrating, don’t forget that the most precious of the freedoms we experience all have more to do with trust, and mutual encouragement, and the understanding that we’re all in this together. Knowing that you are my neighbor, and loving you regardless, is more effective than anything the three branches of government could possibly legislate or rule on.

And that gives me hope. Happy freedom day – DEREK