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Headcovering
Testimony By
Mrs. Eleanor R. McDonie What is this thing on my head? Most people who are familiar with it call it 'the headcovering' or 'prayer veiling'. Some simply say 'the covering'. Why do I veil/cover my head? Simply put, because I believe God tells me to. I know many do not understand this, but let me begin by giving you the scriptural reference that many today chose to ignore or do not understand. 1 Corinthians 11 1 Be
ye followers of me, even as I also am of Christ. 2 Now
I praise you, brethren, that ye remember me in all things, and
keep the ordinances, as I delivered them to you. 3 But
I would have you know, that the head of every man is Christ; and
the head of the woman is the man; and the head of Christ is God. 4 Every
man praying or prophesying, having his head covered, dishonoureth
his head. 5 But
every woman that prayeth or prophesieth with her head uncovered
dishonoureth her head: for that is even all one as if she were
shaven. 6 For
if the woman be not covered, let her also be shorn: but if it be a
shame for a woman to be shorn or shaven, let her be covered. 7 For
a man indeed ought not to cover his head, forasmuch as he is the
image and glory of God: but the woman is the glory of the man. 8 For
the man is not of the woman: but the woman of the man. 9 Neither
was the man created for the woman; but the woman for the man. 10 For
this cause ought the woman to have power on her head because of
the angels. 11 Nevertheless
neither is the man without the woman, neither the woman without
the man, in the Lord. 12 For
as the woman is of the man, even so is the man also by the woman;
but all things of God. 13 Judge
in yourselves: is it comely that a woman pray unto God uncovered? 14 Doth
not even nature itself teach you, that, if a man have long hair,
it is a shame unto him? 15 But
if a woman have long hair, it is a glory to her: for her hair is
given her for a covering. 16 But if any man seem to be contentious, we have no such custom, neither the churches of God. One
fall evening in 2001, my husband was in bed early as he wasn’t
feeling well. I was
up just simply browsing the net and doing a little Bible study
online. I had been
growing closer to God at this point in my life.
I was praying for God to come into my life more and for the
Holy Spirit to come as well.
In my marriage, (I was married in 1997), I had always been
the dominant one. I
had definitely been the one to lead, handle the finances, etc.
I was your basic average woman of modern society.
However, God slapped me pretty hard that night.
My life has changed, my marriage has changed, jobs,
friendships… everything has changed.
I
came across a website called www.wendysmodestdress.com I don’t
even really remember how I got there, but I did.
I found it pretty intriguing.
I wasn’t sure why she covered her head, so I read her
testimony and the scriptural references about it.
I was absolutely floored.
I had previously read the verses, and had inquired about
them. I accepted the
explanation that “the
covering” was my hair as commonly believed.
I seen Wendy’s site, and I thought, well, I guess I have
to go disprove this lady’s interpretation.
God took about 15 to 20 minutes to show me quickly there
was no getting around this. It
was pretty black and white. I
could obey or not was what I felt.
In my spirit I felt God tell me that, “You have been
asking me to let you do things for My Kingdom.
If you can not obey in this small simple matter, how can I
trust you with bigger things.”
Inside,
my thoughts were “SMALL MATTER, are you kidding me, Lord?”.
That night, I found a shawl and used that to cover my head
and pray. It felt
very right. When my
husband awoke the next morning I told him about what happened.
He was quite skeptical that I had read the scriptures
correctly. I told him
that I wanted his permission and support because the very
scripture that speaks on the covering also speaks much about
headship within marriage. (see
article on submission) He
reluctantly agreed to allow me to cover for a few days while he
could study the issue. One
small hurdle was over, one of the biggest of my life was to come.
I
was working outside the home at the time in a office setting at
the time. The only
scarf I had was a fairly bright shade of a pink one, and I was shy
to wear that. So I
quickly made a little lace thing to cover part of my hair in the
back that day. I felt
like everyone looked at me all day.
A few odd looks, but no real questions.
And in hindsight, I realize now I didn’t get many
questions because it just looked like I was having an “odd
fashion flair” for the day.
The next day, I was a little more brave and wore the pink
one. Basically a pink
triangle style covering. THAT
got some questions going. I
did my best to answer them. I
was so nervous that day. A
few days later my husband came to me and told me he agreed and
scripturally, yes, I was to cover my head. Anyway,
eventually I had friends, family and the world to face.
Did I mention that I am an extremely shy, introverted
person? I may have
been dominant in my marriage, but to the world and on the inside I
was very, very shy. Putting
on that covering was one of the hardest steps of obedience I had
ever taken in my life.
Modest dressing also followed.
I Timothy 2:11-15 9 In like manner also, that women adorn themselves in modest apparel, with shamefacedness and sobriety; not with broided hair, or gold, or pearls, or costly array; 10 But (which becometh women professing godliness) with good works. 11 Let
the woman learn in silence with all subjection. 12 But
I suffer not a woman to teach, nor to usurp authority over the
man, but to be in silence. 13 For
Adam was first formed, then Eve. 14 And
Adam was not deceived, but the woman being deceived was in the
transgression. 15 Notwithstanding she shall be saved in childbearing, if they continue in faith and charity and holiness with sobriety. I
began wearing only dresses, and tried to keep them as plain and
simple as possible. All
of these changes were occurring while I had to face people with
this new appearance. I
was nervous anytime I had to see anyone, that had not seen my
“new look”. I
think my friends and family turned out to me much harder as most
of them are professing Christians who do not accept that covering
is necessary in this modern culture or they feel “the
covering” is the hair. I
had more opposition from some rather than others, but nothing God
hasn’t gotten my husband and I through.
I even eventually lost the job I was working, I believe
firmly, due to the headcovering.
God got us through that too..
The
covering has blessed my life greatly.
My marriage has changed so much since that day and also I
have tried to be obedient to the scriptures regarding submission.
While I can certainly still improve, I am a much better
wife to my husband. He
has blossomed into this wonderful leader in our home, where
previously he wasn’t even slightly interested in leading the
home as a man is required to do.
Our love has grown much deeper though it as well.
We both strive to follow God, and have been doing so as
best we know how since. I
am probably a much better public witness too.
It is hard to be in public and have a bad day and grouch at
someone out with a headcovering on.
It is like putting Jesus bumper stickers on your car,
everyone will realize you are a Christian and will be watching you
closer. You must
remember to act better and improve your witness. Have
I been perfect since I began covering?
A loud and resounding, NO!
I have even yielded to my vanity a couple of times and
removed it for about 2-3 months.
All that did was make me miserable inside and I always came
back to covering. Another
thing it did was create a confusing witness.
For that, I am ashamed and repentant.
However, I suppose people can see I am human and stumble
occasionally. The
covering seems like it should be no big deal when you really think
about it, but in today’s society it is a huge deal.
If
you are researching this issue and are contemplating wearing one
then I can almost guarantee there will be persecution.
It will not be easy. Usually
you will find, if you are not being persecuted on some level, you
probably are not living scripturally.
You will possibly lose friends, family, and jobs as I have.
Don’t
let me scare you away though.
Just know you were warned that is not all “sunshine and
flowers”. While it
may be hard in society, how much better is it to be right with
God? You will gain
more blessing than you can imagine by following God’s word and
being obedient to it. The
peace that comes with obedience is immeasurable. Home
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