This is National Be Bald and Be Free Day.

What the big deal about hair, anyway? We cut it, comb and brush it, color it, wash it, spray it, and style it—no wonder people worry about losing their hair! It’s a big part of life.

Most bald people (usually men) got that way because of heredity. Scientists say that the mother’s side of the family is the source of genetic baldness. If a man’s mother’s father was bald, the man has a higher chance of going bald himself.

Some people have lost their hair through illness or medical treatments. Others shave their heads to make a statement or to be free of all the mess and work of hair care.

Be Bald and Be Free Day was probably started by men who had lost their hair and had dealt with it. It’s as if they wanted to shout, “Hey, I’m hairless—bald—and it’s OK! In fact, I like it.”

In the Bible, you’ll find people with a wide variety of hair lengths. Samson, for example, had extra long hair—the secret to his strength (Judges 16:17-19). Elisha became angry when a crowd of youths mocked him by calling him “Baldhead” (2 Kings 2:23-25). Absolom had long luxurious hair that weighed five pounds when he cut it (2 Samuel 14:26).

Undoubtedly the most startling statement in the Bible about hair is in today’s passage. Jesus was speaking to the crowd and his closest followers telling them that they shouldn’t worry because they were valuable to God. So valuable in fact, that God even knew all the details of their lives—even the number of hairs on their heads.

Some bald people joke that God doesn’t have to work very hard counting their strands of hair. But Jesus’ wasn’t really talking about our scalps and follicles. He was making the point that each person is valuable to God, including you. How great is that?

So every time you comb or brush your hair, say thanks to God for his love and care. Hey! That rhymes!

“And the very hairs of your head are all numbered. So don’t be afraid; you are more valuable to [God] than a whole flock of sparrows” (Luke 12:7).

To Do

Type out the phrase “I’m a big, hairy deal to God.” Cut it out, and tape it to your comb or brush. It will remind you of your value to God.

Also on this day

1926—The book Winnie-the-Pooh by A. A. Milne was published.

1964—Martin Luther King, Jr. received the Nobel Peace Prize.

From Betsy Schmitt and Dave Veerman, 365 Trivia Twist Devotions: An Almanac of Fun Facts and Spiritual Truth for Every Day of the Year (Cincinnati: Standard, 2005). Scripture quotations are from the New Living Translation unless otherwise noted.