I used an expression recently to describe varied elements of my identity. You have probably done something similar. My reference revolved around the various hats I wore to accomplish my responsibility (husband, father, sibling, son, grandpa, and yes, a pastor,). Not that every responsibility required a hat or I would even wear one if I were to perform the said duty, but you get the idea.
A hat is often for our protection but also an image of authority and responsibility.
Like too many irons in the fire, we are often loaded with more tasks than we have time to handle. Yes. I’ve written about all of these. Just click the link to read in a new window.
How many hats do you wear to handle your responsibilities?
The picture in this posting is probably my favorite look. My Alaska ball cap is over 20 years old and was recently chewed up by a dog when he/she was inside recovering from a vet visit. The shirt is easily 12 years old and has too many wrinkles and worn spots to wear in public. And if you were to look at my feet, a ragged pair of yard shoes, no socks, they are ready to get dirty as needed.
That’s the real me. Just about when you break in your look, something wears out, and you must start all over! But this is my comfortable attire, and not afraid of working around the yard or exercising the dogs. (Circa 2022) Okay. Maybe a run to the hardware store, and I pray no one sees me!
But if I pause and think it through,
I realize I always dress for the part
and hope to remember to get the correct hat.
What’s the Real You?
A game-type British show came to America in the ’50s and ’60s. What’s My Line? The panel could ask a mystery guest a question to determine their occupation. Occasionally, the guest was a celebrity, and the panel would be blindfolded.
What if we were to do the same with you?
Would the real you ever be correctly guessed? Perhaps not. But it never stops us from trying to read into the image of the person we think you are.
We moved to Alaska in 1980, and the next year we enjoyed a company picnic in Eklutna, just a few miles northeast of Anchorage. A dapper, elderly couple stopped us to chat. Honestly, I had no clue who he was, and you could not tell anything about him by how he was dressed. They were just pleasant people. He knew who I was, but I did not know anything about him. He knew we came by ferry (Matanuska), my son was nearly three, and our daughter was just about ready to show up…
After we walked away, a friend asked if we liked talking to “God.” It was Elmer Rasmussen, the president of the National Bank of Alaska, my employer.
I would have never guessed! I learned something from this moment. Always study the people who are impacting your life. Someday you may meet, but will you know who they are?
Could you be masking who you are by what you are presenting to others? All the time!
Pick The Right Hat
I’m of the generation that always wants to break the rules…but generally bends to the mores of the moment. Hence, I dress up for church, weddings, funerals, awards, and other events. If the truth is known too often, my heart wants to slouch in and be comfortable.
When I do, suddenly, I’m uncomfortable. Why? I probably wore the wrong hat!
Maybe this is the key to life. Learn which hat (and attire) fits the moment, and do not stray from what will identify you to your audience and responsibility.
To my bride, my first true love, may I always wear the hat you love the most.
To my siblings and parents, though I’m the only “firstborn” among us,
let me be just me and love you with all my heart.
To my kids, I always pray I wear the proper hat of parental love.
To my friends, the best I always want to be, and I have many hats to prove it.
To my church family, accept me as an aging pastor that loves unconditionally
because I want to be like Christ and Love as He first loved us.
To the stranger, who may be an angel, let me show you the real me –
unsuspiciously caring for your needs as if you were my brother.
I’ve picked up the wrong hat, walked out the front door, paused, and turned back inside, the proper hat to get for the moment I’m living in.
The Hats of My World Maybe this is the key to life. Learn which hat (and attire) fits the moment, and do not stray from what will identify you to your audience and responsibility. Share on X