Scarlett O’Hara is to blame.
The film, Gone With the Wind, captured my imagination when I was just a little girl. I can remember watching it, anticipation rising as each new scene showcased another item from Scarlett’s exquisite wardrobe. At the age of six or seven, I didn’t have much interest in the story line yet, but those outfits! Not one was more iconic than that first green and white cloud of a gown she flounced around in at the Twelve Oaks barbecue. And that hat! A wide brim that played peek-a-boo with her flirty glances. The velvety green bow snuggled under her chin was absolutely charming. I was smitten.
So began my love affair with hats; one that continues to this day. I’m especially drawn to the ones from the mid-1900s. The little wispy veils featured on many of the ladies hats from that time period fascinate me. So delicate and feminine. They beg for attention, yet offer a place for shy eyes to hide. Perfect for my introverted personality that also adores all things beautiful.
It shouldn’t come as a surprise then that I would settle on this, our next idiom:
Mad as a Hatter
Ironically, as I researched the origins of this one, I discovered it may not have started as a hat-based phrase at all. It may very well have had a darker and more…well… slithery start.
Brits in the 1800s were under the impression that a certain kind of snake bite produced the side effect of insanity. The adder, to be precise. As it turns out, a quick Google search reveals that mental confusion is still listed as a symptom of a European Adder bite, so perhaps the birth of this idiom did come from the fangs of a serpent: mad as an adder.
The more commonly accepted version, however, is as follows. In the 1800s, hat making was in full swing. The process of producing felt hats included the use of mercury. Over time, as the hatters were exposed to mercury fumes, strange symptoms would begin. Hatters would get violent and uncontrollable twitches. They proceeded to become confused and their words came out in jumbled order. (Sounds like me after a long day of homeschooling my kids) The mercury induced illness was often mistaken as madness, thus the phrase “mad as a hatter” was used to insinuate someone was a bit looney.
As I’ve thought today about the hats I own, and all the hats I’ve worn over the years, I’ve been reminded that life gives us many intangible hats to wear as well. None of us wear just one. When I’m done writing this piece, I will take off my writer’s trilby and replace it with a chef’s toque as I make dinner for my family. I will don a maid’s mob cap when it’s time to get the laundry done and clean the floors. I’m a wife, mom, daughter, sister, teacher, chauffeur, cheerleader, and friend. I bet you could rattle off just as many, or more, caps that you wear as well. We all juggle our hats. Sometimes, the frantic changing out of life’s headwear leaves us dizzy and feeling a little crazy. Maybe even a little mad…the insane version of the word. How do we keep ourselves grounded and sane in the whirlwind of our responsibilities?
Well, we need to talk to the Hat-Maker himself. Philippians 4 is a powerful chapter, filled with foot-thumping, fist-pumping truth. In verses 6-7 we are told to take our craziness to the Lord in prayer, and He will wrap us in the blanket of peace. A kind of peace there are no words for. The kind that leaves us baffled.
Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. Philippians 4:6-7
What a great trade off! The crazy of life traded in for mental peace. I’ll take it!
And then, as if that’s not a big enough gift, He lavishes a little more on us, just like a Good Father would. Knowing our hearts and minds are predisposed to weakness, He promises in verse 13 that with Him, we can do all things.
I can do all things through him (Christ) who strengthens me. Philippians 4:13
But wait….there’s more!
Just when you think it could NOT get any better, we read in verse 19:
And my God will supply every need of yours according to his riches in glory in Christ Jesus. Philippians 4:19
Trust me, His riches are endless, so you’ll never be lacking.
As we switch out our hats today transitioning between our seemingly endless roles, don’t go Mad as a Hatter! Instead, remember the Source of your strength. Tap into the endless Supply of all you need. Put in a request for the jaw-dropping Peace on the other end of the prayer line.
Assignment: (Respond in the Comment section. I want to hear from YOU!)
- What are the “hats” you wear from day to day?
- Have you ever experienced a peace that didn’t even make sense? When was it?
- Wear a hat today and let it be a reminder of God’s strength in you, the riches He supplies, and the peace that comes from talking to the grand Hat Maker Himself.
SUBSCRIBE HERE TO GET ALL THE LATEST!
Please spread the love and share this post with your friends!
Longing & Belonging 
Leave a comment