Covering Testimony: Laura B.
Name: Laura B. | Age: 50 | Location: Apex, North Carolina (USA) | Date started covering: 2007
1) Introduce yourself to our readers.
Hi, I’m Laura and I am in LOVE with Jesus! I love His Word, His constant companionship, and His sweet grace; I can’t wait to get to heaven and be with Him forever. While I am expectantly waiting for that day, I love to take good care of my dear husband of 29 years, our home, and our sweet dog.
I live in Apex, North Carolina, nicknamed “The Peak of Good Living” — and I agree with that nickname. I am 50 years old, have been a vegetarian for 35 years, and donated a kidney in 2016. Although I have a Master’s in Nutrition, I enjoy teaching piano and guitar to children. I also play & sing hymns, and teach the Bible to women in nursing/retirement homes two days a week. I am also active in my church where I delight in serving, loving on, and encouraging the flock of God, especially the seniors!
I did not grow up in a Christian home, though my family occasionally went to church. After my parents divorced in my teens, I decided I was an agnostic. I later married a Christian who was on a prodigal path — but after he rededicated his life to the Lord, my husband’s patience, love, and prayer were used by God to draw me into the Kingdom. We now love exhorting each other to follow the Bible in every aspect of our lives. We try to live according to Paul’s directions for believers in 1 Thessalonians 4:11: to aspire to live a quiet life, mind our own business, and work with our own hands.
2) Where do you attend church? Tell us a little bit about it. Do others practice head covering there?
I attend Colonial Baptist Church in Cary, NC. The teaching is refreshingly sound, and Pastor Stephen Davey has an international radio ministry called Wisdom for the Heart, which some may be familiar with. Shepherds Theological Seminary is another ministry associated with our church and is located on our church campus. The seminary professors teach the Bible classes on Sunday at church, so I am blessed to be under excellent teaching. There are probably 6,000 to 8,000 members, and as far as I can see, I am the only one who adheres to the biblical direction found in 1 Corinthians 11 to cover. Nevertheless, that doesn’t hinder me a bit.
3) What led you to start covering?
In 2007, my sweet sister-in-law, who is Russian Orthodox, was visiting us from California. We went into church and sat down. As she was covering her head with a scarf, she turned to me and asked with a smile, “You’re covering too, aren’t you?” I looked at her and didn’t even debate in my mind for an instant. I replied matter-of-factly, “Of course I am,” as I pulled a scarf onto my head, which through God’s orchestration I was already wearing around my neck. After that evening, I asked her about why she covers and when. She directed me to 1 Corinthians 11:2-16. As I read that passage (which I had read many times before), it was like a light bulb came on and I thought, “That is what it says. Okay, I’m doing it.” And I have been covering ever since.
Although I was saved and had been an avid student of the Word for five years, I had never considered the issue of head covering for myself. We lived on a farm at the time, and although I wore bandanas to cover my head, this was only for practical reasons, not out of obedience to the Scriptures. However, when I had seen women covering, I had always thought it beautiful and reverent; it gave them the appearance of being peaceful, godly women.
As I studied this topic seriously, I depended on the Bible for guidance, which is the greatest resource for any situation in life and our final authority as Christians. I also prayed, and talked with my husband about it. The passage in Numbers 5:18 (KJV) is one that really stood out to me. This is where a woman is accused of adultery and brought to the priest; the first thing he does when he stands her before the LORD is publicly uncover her head, which is meant to show her shame. Reading that left a clarity in my heart and mind that not only was it customary for a woman to cover (even in Old Testament times), but also that having an uncovered head was shameful. Wow.
In my studies, I also depended on the Holy Spirit, Who is given to be our Teacher. Although men and women can give compelling opinions for or against head covering, I do not allow this to sway me one way or the other. My only instruction for what is true and pleasing to God is found in the Living Word of God.
I eventually came to understand that if a woman chooses to cover, she is a walking symbol of the Creation Order found in God’s Word. She shows that she willingly submits to being under the authority of her husband (if married). She is saying, “I am a Christian woman.” In fact, the whole way in which she presents herself should reflect that truth: she should wear modest clothing, and her behavior and speech should demonstrate a gentle and quiet spirit which is of great worth in God’s sight (1 Pet. 3:4).
4) When do you use your covering?
I always cover at church, any time I am publicly reading or teaching the Bible, when I am serving outside my home, and when I sing publicly. Sometimes I also wear it at home when I have a more intense time of prayer, worship, or repentance. I enjoy it so much I will at times wear it just because I feel like it! Head covering is such a sweet blessing to me. I am not legalistic about it, but joyful and intentional.
5) What kind of reaction did you get from family and friends who knew about your decision to wear a head covering? How did you respond? In hindsight, is there anything you would have done differently, and why?
My family has never mentioned it to me, but that is probably because they would not be in a situation with me where I would be covering. Friends have asked, and some even began covering for a time (but they were not consistent, or eventually stopped). I don’t know or see anyone else in my area who covers.
The majority of the questions I get are at church. The most common question is, “Are you Jewish?” I respond with a bright smile, “No, but I worship a Jew!” Then they ask me why I cover my head. Over the years I have given a lot of different responses which I am still changing, depending on the person asking. I try to gauge if they just want a quick answer, or if they are looking for an in-depth answer because God is convicting their heart and they are searching for truth. In general, I usually say something like, “I cover in joy and obedience to God’s Word found in 1 Corinthians 11 and to show respect to my husband.”
6) What counsel can you give to women that do not cover out of fear?
Well, it really comes down to a heart issue because God’s Word is so clear on this. We can’t pick and choose what we want to adhere to in the Bible, and what we don’t. Though covering our heads is not a salvation issue, it surely is one of the heart. If we are not willing to cover, is it because we are questioning (or rebelling) against the Creation Order? Or is it because we are valuing the interpretation and opinions of men (even educated ones) over the Holy Spirit and the original text of Scripture? Are we prideful and vain and worried more about how we will look, or how others will think of us, over what Christ thinks of us? It could be helpful to read 1 Samuel 15:22; 2 Chronicles 16:9; Galatians 1:10; and 1 Peter 3:4.
7) What would you say is the best and the most difficult aspect about head covering?
The best is that I am free and happy to be obedient to what the Scriptures tell me to do, that I get the opportunity to share the truth with others, and that I stand out as set-apart in this fallen world. Also, when I am in public people act differently toward me when I am covered. They are more respectful, make eye contact, are kinder, and I get a lot of smiles in contrast to when I don’t cover. It is interesting and sweet.
There is nothing difficult about covering, other than my experience that it sometimes does not stay in place.
8) What kind of covering(s) do you use? Where did you get them?
I mostly purchase my head coverings from Garlands of Grace because when I am playing music, singing, setting up equipment, carrying things, or cleaning the house, I don’t want my covering to come off, and theirs stay put. I love supporting Garlands of Grace since they very purposefully share what God’s Word says about salvation, how modesty can look beautiful, and why they make what they make. Plus, they totally go the distance in how they specially wrap each package; it’s like opening a fun and glorious birthday present each time I receive one of their packages!
- Covering Testimony: Allura Lightfoot - October 20, 2023
- Why I Cover My Head // plus Headcovering Tutorial - July 17, 2023
- Covering Testimony: Amy Larry - March 26, 2023
