My Headcovering: Man-made Rule or Biblical Doctrine?
I always knew my mother spent several minutes each morning fastening her headcovering, a triangular piece of black cloth mandated by the Kleine Gemeinde as a necessary garment for a baptized Christian woman whether single or married. I knew, and I saw, but I did not care. It was simply part of who and what she was. The few times I did ask I received a non-committal almost brusque reply. Yet there was a time when she actually skipped her morning routine and did not wear it. She repeated it the next day, then the day after that until I became perplexed and questioned her: why, Mama? There was a sigh and gentle expression as she attempted to explain that they (our parents) were no longer attending the KG church. Of course, I knew that much. We were now steady visitors at a new charismatic group which had recently broken away from the traditional KG church. But what about her headcovering? Well, the new church believed that some of the former practices were all traditions and rules created by men and not what God wants for us. For example the headcovering. Puzzled, I shrugged and left off questioning her.
And I continued to shrug during the next decade or so while I dressed in crop tops and tiny shorts, later after marriage in more modest attire such as skirts and blouses, until now more than 20 years later, God has brought me back in a complete circle, standing in front of a full-length mirror, adjusting my ankle length cape dress and patting my covering into shape on my head with a second miniature mirror gazing up at me with wondering eyes asking, why Mommy? The question penetrates to the depths of my heart; I draw a deep breath, pondering my careful response as to why I choose to now wear a veil.
My goal is clear: first and foremost, point my little daughter to God as I prepare my answer to the question. Second, to let her see that as a Christian woman we must follow what the Bible says, to wear a symbol of submission on our heads. Third, His Word tells us to worship together with other believers and as a group those individuals are called a church which in turn has the power to enact certain doctrines found in the Bible and define practical applications that identify us as part of that group such as what color and style of headcovering. She might be too young yet to fully grasp everything I just said, but with time and grace, the doctrine of the head covering will become real to her.
I wonder how and what I would have done without my husband to support me. He was the one who often calmly and quietly took over the questions when our children asked about the headcovering. Not only that, he prayed with and for me as I struggled with difficulty in accepting what God had now revealed to me: that as a woman submitted to the Lord, I must now wear a covering on my head. Although it still feels foreign to me, and uncomfortable at times, I find peace and solace in the spiritual support of the sisters in the church God has called us to. The scorn and derision from my close family and friends from "modern" churches who shun the belief of conservative Mennonite groups is coming yet. I must admit my heart beats fast when I think of the days, weeks and months ahead. It's all so new, so unkown, but so right. To have peace and joy when I realize I am simply following a Bible doctrine.
Betty
Thoughts & opinions: send email.
