For several years I wore an infinity veil or a mantilla daily as a symbol of submission, because of the angels, and because 1 Corinthians 11 teaches women should not pray with their heads uncovered (and we are to pray without ceasing). In the Christian faith, beautiful, Holy, life giving things are veiled. That includes women.
Then I stopped. But the truth was I didn’t stop for the right reasons. My beliefs did not change. But I got tired of standing out in the crowd. I like to be anonymous when I go out. As loud a personality as I have I still like to be quiet sometimes and I don’t like to be noticed. And sometimes people wouldn’t treat me very nicely because of the headcovering. I was looked at as an outsider. People could be very hostile without even getting to know me. But that’s not a good reason to not do what the Holy Spirit called me to do.
The 1st time the Holy Spirit called me to wear a headcovering I didn’t even know what they were. I tried to google them, but wasn’t even sure what to type in the search bar. But I had such a strong drive to put a veil on my head that I went to a fabric store and bought a piece of lace. I pinned it to my hair. At the time I was staying in Georgia with my inlaws while my husband was deployed. I couldn’t explain what was happening to me, but I was being driven to cover my head. It wasn’t a matter of modesty. It is not a sin to show your hair, and in fact my veils do still show my hair. But as soon as I put on my make shift veil, this warm feeling of protection came over me.
Headcovering was a healthy spiritual practice for me that brought me closer to God. It was a daily reminder to pray and study scripture. Some people don’t need that daily reminder. I did. It was a reminder to be a better wife and a better mother. I didn’t grow up with a good example of what being a good wife looks like. Headcovering reminded me to be quick to listen and slow to argue.
It is with prayer that I consider returning to headcovering at least part time. Headcovering is not an issue of salvation. I will not go to hell if I don’t do it. This isn’t legalism. But anything that can bring you closer to God is a good thing, and I have found that headcovering brought me closer to God. Yes I enjoy not standing out in the crowd or being labeled the moment people look at me, but I miss my beautiful veils that felt so much like a part of me. They were never a matter of oppression, but rather a reminder to be more like my Savior.
Life at Home 