Why I Choose to Cover my Head: Christian Women should Wear a Covering

I've been revealing a fair amount of "personal" information here lately, telling things about myself that sometimes feel "unsafe" or "uncomfortable. I've laid my soul bare here on Hubpages and have allowed myself to be criticized. I'm certain that I've shocked a few people and there are some who are probably very uncomfortable with much of what I have to say.

I'm not trying to be controversial. Rather, I am sharing a huge part of myself, the things that make me who I am. I am not a proud woman, and I am happy not to consider myself "proud." While I may not be proud I do certainly like myself very much. I am happy with the life that I am gradually building and it pleases me to know that I am bringing honor to God.

Yes, I do experience pride from time to time. There is something wonderful about knowing that I have accomplished something (akin to knowing that I have completed the Hubpages Challenge!). There is something wonderful in realizing that I have done my best and achieved something wonderful. It isn't the type of pride that puts myself before God, but I hope the type of glow that brings honor to Him.

The Bible tells us, in 1 Corinthians 11 that a woman should keep her head covered when in prayer.

^"4 Every man praying or prophesying, having his head covered, dishonors his head. ⁵ But every woman who prays or prophesies with her head uncovered dishonors her head, for that is one and the same as if her head were shaved. ⁶ For if a woman is not covered, let her also be shorn. But if it is shameful for a woman to be shorn or shaved, let her be covered." (NKJV)

Paul tells us in this epistle that we should cover our heads when in prayer. Additionally, the covering is the mark of a husband's authority. "I have already established that I have chosen to submit to the authority of my husband."(v 10)

If you have encountered Amish in your local area, you may notice that they keep their heads covered, either with a cap (kapp) or with a bonnet. Many Mennonite churches also require head covering and modest dress for their women, and there is more variation to the style of head covering that can be seen in a Mennonite church.

I agree that it might be old-fashioned, and I am not a plain-dressing woman. I considered it for some time, but as I don't have a sewing machine I am unable to make my own clothes. I am therefore limited by what I can purchase off the rack, and my husband likes me in a pair of capris or blue jeans, even if I prefer to wear a skirt. It might not be the popular position, but I dress to please him. He's the one who has to spend all day looking at me, and I'm comfortable enough with myself to treat him with this respect.

I am currently seeking a new way in which to cover my head. I have been using a bandana as a "veil" and I'm not happy with the style. I am thinking about this time opting for a scarf, or, if my husband liked them, a traditional hijab (yes, Christians wear them, too!).

No... Honestly, I'm not. The number of Christians who make excuses for not covering their heads is far more vast than those of us who choose obedience to 1 Corinthians 11. I have found that the head covering makes me a good deal more free in my thoughts and in my pattern of behavior. I love that it keeps something special that is just between me and my husband (my hair, which is long, curly and most of all red).

You are entitled to what you believe regarding my religion and my choices and preferences: I like the way that I am. I'm becoming a genuinely happy person, over time. I'm learning to love myself for the first time in many, many years. Religion hasn't repressed me, it well and truly has set me free to be myself.

I like order, and I like rules. They give me enough structure to get through my day. I appreciate being able to give over those things that worry me to God and being able to rest easy in the knowledge that He will carry me to safety when things are stressful in my life. He always has, and I trust that He always will.

For me, religion isn't repressive.

This is truly one of the elements of covering that I enjoy the most -- feeling as though I have a special secret, something that is special between me and my husband that nobody else can see. I wear floor-length dresses when I wear them, and I never wear pants shorter than capris. I don't feel that shorts are (necessarily) immodest, I simply don't like my knees!

Just like everyone, I have a preference, and this happens to be it!

I feel that my choice to cover my head is pleasing to God. It is a personal conviction. As with anything, this is not a lesson that I teach or preach to other women. If some (Christian) women choose to engage me on the topic, I am always more than willing to get into it with them and to share my thoughts on the subject and the reasons why I feel that head covering applies to women outside of Corinth in the day when Paul wrote his epistle.

We each must do what God has called us to do, and this is it for me. For you it might be something entirely different, and you should obey God in the way that is most pleasing to him.

No!

I actually have a problem with parents choosing a religion for their children. I was brought up Catholic and baptized as an infant (as is proper in the Catholic faith). I see that the Amish and Mennonite communities have their youngsters covering their heads as they feel is appropriate. However, I feel that my children need to make their own choices when they are old enough to do so (probably when they are about twelve). If they choose not to cover, I will be fine with that. If they choose to cover, I will be fine with that.

All I can do is guide my children in the direction I feel is right and hope that they take the path that is best for them. I don't have all the answers as a parent, however much I might want to. Perfection I leave up to God, as I am simply a sinner. He is the ultimate and perfect parent, and I can only pray that He will grant me the grace to guide my children down the right path!