Hats & More Hats – Hat Day

What hats do you wear? Carol reminds us of verses in Colossians that will help us to wear our various hats with an attitude of thankfulness.

Hat Day

Did you know that according to Google, November 25 is Hat Day? Who celebrates hats? I guess it is another one of those fun things to remind us to smile, to enjoy something ordinary in a new way. But it made me consider how many hats we sometimes wear and how we switch them out.

Favourite Hat

I received a photo, via text, from my son one day. My 3 ½ year old grandson had a day at home with both parents. He sat on the couch in his pj’s with his favourite hat on his head. But on top of that one rested another. In the photo he tried to cram a third hat on top of the other two. I smiled at his antics. He was having so much fun with everyday things while mom and dad tried to figure out how to accomplish all the necessary tasks for that day, including some work from home.

Some people like wearing actual hats, whether they are ball caps, cowboy hats, or floppy hats to block the sun from the eyes. Other hats are a necessity in our world like hard hats in construction zones. During our cold prairie winter, toques that give us hat head but keep our ears from freezing are helpful objects. Some can be fun and even a bit stylish.

I fall into that category of not liking a hat on my head. In summer, I would rather wear sunglasses to protect my eyes and not stay out long enough to get heat stroke than wear a hat. But in winter, on the coldest days I will pull on an ear band or occasionally even a toque, not for looks or because I enjoy it, but for the warmth it provides.

Hats of Various Kinds

However, we all wear “hats” of various kinds. Hats dealing with relationships like our mom or dad hat, grandparent one or sister, brother, aunt, uncle or even a cousin one at times. These hats involve a variety of responsibilities and sometimes it feels like there must be more than one hat on our heads during these times.

Other hats have to do with our jobs. Doctor, nurse, teacher, truck driver, accountant, clerk, secretary and the list goes on. Each one looks different and involves all the responsibilities associated with that job. At times those hats weigh us down. We try and just get through the next few hours of our shift, our work day and hope the next will go smoother.

The Many Hats I Wear

As a wife, mother, and grandmother I have many hats I wear, depending on the day. You can imagine them, for you wear a variety of them too. Sometime I pull on my chef’s hat, or a teacher one. Other times it’s nursing a family member—even if its only a bandaid or an appointment at the doctor or dentist. How about these ones that surface during my days? They include billpayer, secretary, housekeeper, personal shopper, and sometimes counsellor, travel agent, and referee.

Some days I only need to pull on a few of them, while other days I feel like my little grandson trying to cram yet one more hat on to my head. So, as we look at the hats we can physically put on our heads to protect us from the elements or because we actually enjoy them, we can also see how wearing many hats fits into the puzzle pieces of our lives. Then we can wear them and do the best we can.

Colossians 3: 17 says, “And whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through Him.”

Colossians 3: 23 goes on to say, “Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for men.”

As I read these verses it changes my perspective. Why do I don the hat of housekeeper when I would really rather be doing something else like reading, writing, or visiting with others? I do it because it needs to be done so my house isn’t filthy. But I need to do it and be thankful I have a house to clean.

When I pull on the hat of cook, bottle washer, and grocery shopper, I can be grateful for something to cook, dishes to wash, and a store with supplies to buy. I can be thankful that I can make a phone call and get an appointment with a doctor or dentist instead of grumbling at the length of time it might take to get in to see them.

I Don’t Like to Wear Hats!

I do not like to wear hats but give in when the mercury drops into the low -30’s calcium for my own comfort and protection. I wear many hats on a daily basis as a wife, mother, grandmother, speaker, and writer. I teach, coach, encourage, and advocate for those like my youngest daughter who struggles to do it for herself. Some days those hats feel like too many at once or a chore. But when I look at them in the light of these verses and shift my focus to doing them to honour God, they become less burdensome. It is a work in progress just like I am.

What hats do your wear? How often do you feel too many need to be crammed on your head at once?  How might these verses make them easier to wear? Maybe there are some you can give to another person. One moment at a time. One hat at a time I pray I can give them to God to help me put on the ones I need to at just the right time and have him adjust my attitude to thankfulness.

Do you wear a hat regularly? We would love to hear from you. Comment below or contact us at HopeStreamRadio.