Why I Cover

         As per usual for me, I wrote a blog post and had it ready to go, then changed my mind about posting it. It will probably be posted in the future along with the others I have written and saved. But for this week, it did not feel right to post it.

            Instead, I want to discuss something that has come up a couple of times since my marriage to Jonathan: why I continue to cover my head.

            My Mother no longer covers, and I wore my hair down (but with a veil) for my wedding so people began asking if I would continue to cover or stop now that I am married. There were even questions about it not being a part of the culture here, with the unspoken point of me perhaps not being effective as a Pastor’s wife if I continue to cover. So I want to address some of these things and just lay out why I continue to cover my head, even in a culture where covering for religious reasons is virtually unknown.

            When Jonathan began talking before either one of us would consider dating we discussed various philosophical questions and views like baptism, and the head covering. If Jonathan had not been okay with me continuing to cover, I never would have dated him. There were certain things I was unwilling to compromise on, and the head covering was one. That being said, the head covering is not worn for religious reasons here in the DR. Sure, there are many head coverings but they are worn to protect their newly styled hair or just to keep it out of their face. I had one lady approach me at taco bell who covered for religious reasons and asked me how I tied my scarves, but that is my only experience with religious covering here.

            Jonathan is an ordained minister for Instrumental Churches of Christ and Christian Churches, better known as the Restoration Movement churches (or Christians Only and Disciples of Christ). The head covering is not used in these churches, so why do I continue to cover when I obviously am the black sheep in the congregation, and as the Pastor’s wife I should not be?

            Simple: personal conviction. When I started covering at age 12, I covered out of personal conviction; although my faith and opinion on a few things has changed, not the significance of the head covering. Regardless of if I had short or long hair I would cover out of its visual, physical and spiritual significance.

            Visually, it is a symbol of my husband having headship over me. He is my authority, my covering, my protector. By wearing the covering I am telling people I willingly accept this, and respect Jonathan as my husband (previous to my marriage my Father was my authority).

            Physically, it is a modesty piece. Although a woman’s hair does not usually provoke a man, Scripture states that a woman’s hair is her glory. Plus, as a woman, I am prone to vanity. By covering my hair I am removing that temptation.

            Spiritually, the head covering is a sign of submission to both my husband and God. It is a protection for me. There have been times when I was under spiritual attack, that I could only sleep when I had a head covering on. Not that the fabric itself was significant, but the fact that I was claiming having headship over me made me feel protected.  

            Yes, I do stand out here, but I stood out in the States as well. Since I am still as firmly convinced as I was when I was 12 that I should cover, I would be a hypocrite to stop. And one thing a missionary and pastor’s wife should NEVER be; is a hypocrite. The choice to cover my hair was mine alone (with approval from my father), and I do not force my convictions on anyone. If the Lord grants us a daughter and she chooses not to cover after through study of Scripture, so be it. All I ask is that she study Scripture for herself before committing one way or the other to the head covering. It is the same thing I would tell any woman approaching me about it. Study for yourself. Religion is copying, faith is personal. You cannot force your faith on someone or it becomes their religion and we are called to spread the faith.

            So, that is why I cover, and continue too, even when I am the only one.

            Until next week, blessings to your homes.