I feel a need to chronicle about a friend of mine. Her name is Jinny. I met her over a year ago (I think) at a hair salon. I've been going to the Great Clips on Northland Drive to get my hair trimmed for the last 14 years or so. There was a young lady by the name of Katy who used to regularly cut my hair. She did a very nice job of it and always did what I asked her to do instead of what SHE wanted to do.
However, Katy changed occupations and is no longer a hair styler. I found this out upon asking for her at the usual Great Clips I always went to. I had no choice that day but to let someone else cut my hair. That stylist actually did a terrible job--just hacked my hair off and that was that. !!
Six weeks later, I tried another location (same franchise). When I walked in, Jinny greeted me and was able to work on my hair. She asked how long I had been coming to her location and I told her that this was my very first time. I casually mentioned about the other location and how badly my hair had been cut. She immediately announced that she would cut my hair "for free" that day. I protested, but then another stylist confirmed that since they were part of the same franchise, this was the usual policy.
Anyway, let me tell you about Jinny. Have you ever felt immediately drawn to someone without being able to explain why? Jinny is very outgoing, friendly, and extremely genuine. We had such a nice time chatting together, I felt like I had known her for years. Off handedly, Jinny mentioned seeing her aunt during the last week and her aunt was encouraging her to "return to church." Jinny stated that it had been years since she had been a part of a church. I told Jinny that I agreed with her aunt. Nothing further was said, but she spent 45 minutes cutting my hair that day and did a fabulous job fixing what the other stylist had hacked up. As I was checking out, we gave each other a nice hug, and I just ... felt such a connection with her.
For the next 5-6 weeks, I prayed for Jinny almost every morning when I was combing my hair, getting ready for the day ahead. I asked the Lord to lead Jinny to attend a strong Bible teaching church where she could learn about the Gospel and come to know Jesus.
At my next appointment, Jinny told me she had found a little country church down the road from her (up near Greenville) and she loved it. She almost glowed from her happiness, and she said it was SO GOOD to be with believers. We talked and talked, and it was obvious Jinny was hungry for things of the Lord. I asked more about her living situation and her family, etc. and learned that she was living with her boyfriend, and had been for almost three years. She told me his name and I began to pray for him--that he would come to faith and that they would marry each other.
Six weeks later, Jinny told me Connor had come to church with her and that he was "warming up" to things of the Lord. In the next few months, he came to faith, proposed to Jinny, and they are now married. Isn't that cool?
A few months after that, I called ahead to see if Jinny was working that day only to be told that "she no longer works here." WHAT?!?!?! Thankfully, I was able to get the girl who answered the phone to tell me that Jinny had transferred to another location (within the franchise) out in Greenville. SO ... I called out to Greenville and drove out and had Jinny cut my hair! It's only a 22 minute drive from my house, and Jinny is so worth it! We had such a nice time talking that day. I asked more about her family, and Jinny told me her dad and mom had been divorced for many years and that her dad was kind of a "dead-beat" kind of dad who was never very constant in her life, was in and out of trouble with addictions, etc. I told Jinny that I would pray for her dad.
Six weeks later, I called out to the Greenville location to see if Jinny was working that day only to hear the girl on the phone tell me that "she is no longer working here." NO WAY. Thankfully, the girl who answered the phone recognized my voice and asked if I was CAROL, and I told her I would miss Jinny so much--she whispered where I could find Jinny! Yes! It turns out that when Jinny accepted the job in Greenville, she was told she would not have to work Sundays--but when she actually began working, they scheduled her for almost every single Sunday.
This is getting way too long of an account. Let's see: Jinny got a job at a little hair shop out in Sand Lake, which is actually only 25 minutes from where I live; so I immediately called and made an appointment.
I saw Jinny at the new place last Friday. She gave me a big hug when I walked in the shop. This little salon is NOT part of a franchise. Jinny rents her "chair" and makes her own schedule. It's a very tiny place--only two chairs! But Jinny is her own boss now, which is much better for her. As she cut my hair, we got to talking, as usual, and I asked about her dad. She smiled from ear to ear and said: "You are not going to believe this!" I won't tell you the whole story, because it's personal to Jinny and her family, but just in the last four weeks, Jinny's dad came to faith in Christ, apologized and has made things right with many people, and Jinny told me he is like a new person.
ALL PRAISE TO YOU, JESUS!
Isn't that so great? So NOW, I'm going to pray for Jinny's sister (Madelyn) who is getting married next week. Jinny says her sister and fiancee' need the Lord! Please save them, Lord.
It has been really encouraging to have the Lord answer all of these prayers. I have gained confidence in my pathetic prayer life because of Jinny, and I am so thankful for her.
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