SEDUCTIVE HAIRPINS

'SEDUCTIVE HAIRPINS' - by T’Louise

How could I have known…this innocent-looking hairpin could send me straight to Hell!

There's something deep within the soul of a person exposed to Pentecostal roots, or any Southern hardcore religion, for that matter. One soon develops a passion for doing what's right and pleasing in the sight of God. Some people have dreams, visions, and, dare I say, 'déjà Vu regarding which path to take. Nothing wrong with that unless you are trying to shove that path under someone else's feet.

Just a gentle nudge will do…

Growing up, I accumulated enormous guilt and unresolved acceptance issues. I never felt like I fit into the mold everyone expected, and I didn't quite understand the hair, dress, makeup, and many other rules. However, the guilt thing…was always there.

For instance, I remember wearing a pretty little hairpin to church; the hairpin served the sole purpose of helping me keep this untamed fluffy mess on my head looking halfway decent.

However, that night the church had a visiting preacher screaming fire and brimstone at the congregation from the top of his lungs. He dove in and out of the details concerning the fiery pit of damnation that awaited us. It was soon brought to my attention that even my tiny lil' hairpin could send me busting through the gates of Hell.

'Why?' I wondered…

TO BE CONTINUED