Why do I wear a covering? You know, if I had a nickle for every time some one asked me that… I would have a lot of nickles. 
It is however, a valid question and one I am always happy to answer. And since I’ve started blogging, I have received many emails with that very question. I have even had people ask me to blog about it. I’ve always said no, but after some thought and prayer, I decided to to share.
I wasn’t hesitant to share because I am ashamed, but because this is a very controversial subject. What I am going to share is my personal convictions and what I feel God has told me through his inspired word, The Bible.
What if you picked up the Bible, opened it up and decided to take the words you read in a very literal sense? We all like to sit down with a study Bible and note pad, and take notes, cross reference and “really learn”. But what if, the Bible was opened and these, God inspired words were taken at face value?
Every thing that is written in this book has a purpose. I do not feel that there would be anything in there that had nothing to do with our Christian walk. So assuming that everything written has a purpose, and the words of this book are to be taken at face value, (what it says is what is means) lets read.
1 Corinthians 11:5-6 But a woman dishonors her head if she prays or prophesies without a covering on her head, for this is the same as shaving her head. Yes, if she refuses to wear a head covering, she should cut off all her hair! But since it is shameful for a woman to have her hair cut or her head shaved, she should wear a covering. NLT
Why would the above verse be in the Bible, unless it still held water for today? We could say, “well that was the custom of that day.” But the ten commandments were issued long before Paul’s time and they still hold true.
Below is a painting done by a mid 1800′s artist. Notice all the women are wearing hats to cover their heads.
Alice Barber Stephens (American artist, 1858–1932) Church Scene with Worshippers Amused by Off Key Singer
Above are two different paintings/drawings, from two different eras. It looks as though women take covering their heads, very seriously. Have we, in this century become so enlightened that we no longer need to follow Gods word?
What about headship? 1 Cor. 11:3 …The head of every man is Christ and; the head of the woman is the man; and the head of Christ is God. KJV
vs 10 For this cause ought the woman to have power on her head because of the angels. KJV
vs 10 For this reason, and because the angels are watching, a woman should wear a covering on her head to show she is under authority. NLT
Gods word is very clear. The woman was placed under the man, For Her Protection. When a woman is covered she has a power that most of the time isn’t even recognized. Being also a witness to the world.
I have a couple stories that I should share sometime soon…
I do want to clarify. While these are my personal convictions, based on what I believe God’s word says. I want to encourage you to search and discover for yourself, what God wishes for you, his beloved daughter.
This decision to cover your head, is between you and your husband. If you wanted to cover your head to show your obedience to your man and he doesn’t like you to cover your head, I would caution you to pray long and hard! A friend of mine felt that she should cover her head. But when her husband saw it, he didn’t like it and thought it unnecessary. However, he did like the idea of her having longer hair. So she is still able to honor him.
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Hello, my name is Kendra. I am married to an amazing young man
named Jason, whom I lovingly call hubby when I’m writing. The only way I could ever explain our relationship is to use words like: crazy, silly, funny… well you get the point. He’s perfect for me! 
I have never considered covering my head, but I respect your decision to do so. I’m thankful that God deals with each of us individually…especially since he made us all that way!
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I actually do cover my head at church services. I prayed long and hard about doing it 24-7, but felt that wasn’t exactly what 1 Corinthians 11 teaches. I am not knocking your convictions, this is just the conclusion I’ve come to.
I find it very interesting when studying this passage in groups that it is always regulated to culture and tradition. Yet, our culture here in the USA only stopped covering heads at church in the 1960s. Had to do with Vatican 2. Men are still culturally supposed to uncover their heads. Also interesting. Oh, and in England, the woman still wear hats to church.
Anyway, you did a very good job of explaining why you cover your head. It is not offensive, but is very clear.
Have a wonderful day!
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Kendra,
I’m glad you chose to blog about why you wear a covering. It was informative to me. I didn’t even know what it was called, to be honest, though I’ve sometimes seen women wearing them. While I feel the biblical reference was for the time and culture of the day in which it was written, I have always appreciate seeing women who have chosen to cover their heads out of respect and submission to their husbands and to the Lord. All Christian women would do well to have the same inward attitude that your outward covering represents. God bless! Lori, visiting from Be Not Weary today.
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Thanks Lori, I’m glad this was informative for you
So glad you chose to blog about this!! Different Christian traditions fascinate me and I love hearing the reasoning behind different parts of them! I’d love to hear more!
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Verse 15 is the one that throws a loop in the covering thought for my husband and me, which might also be where your friend’s husband is coming from too: “15 But if a woman have long hair, it is a glory to her: for her hair is given her for a covering.” My husband feels that by having long hair a woman’s head is covered as mentioned in this verse. I’ve done word studies and everything else to try and “figure it out” but I’ve not gotten any answer from above, so I guess I’ll just keep doing what I’m doing until HE tells me different.
Hi Anna
I too wear a covering. Did you ever consider that the hair is given for a covering to be put on? The greek word for covering means vesture or veil. And remember the verse about her praying uncovered would be the same as if she were shorn or shaven.
God bless!
I’m with Anna, the covering is our “long hair.”
Do you wear your covering when you are asleep? If not, what happens if you wake up at 2 a.m and talk to God? Do you quickly slip the covering on? I feel like I’m in constant communication with the Lord so this would require me to never go without a “covering.” I’m not convicted that this is what the Bible means by covering.
I say all these things in Christian love as this is something I have searched the scriptures over, spoke with other Christians about, prayed about, etc.
I appreciate you sharing. Please continue to do so.
Blessings~~angela
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I actually do wear scarf to bed. I pin it on and it stays fine. I don’t wear anything swimming and I’m sure I’ve prayed then at times. The covering is a sign that a woman is under mans protection and also of the power that is given to her by the angels.
Each person will obviously have different opinions on this subject though.
Thanks for featuring my shop Kendra!
I also have an Ebay store, with other types of items.
http://myworld.ebay.com/mennonitemom
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Thanks for sharing that. Honestly, I had wondered why you wore it in passing. But now I know!
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I will admit, I always wanted to email you about it, but thought you would either think I was too nosy, or be so sick and tired of answering the question, that you wouldn’t want to have to answer it again.
I had also strongly considered wearing one from time to time, after reading that passage, and the one about the angels being confused. Actually, that part kind of freaked me out, to be honest. Then, I also read about the long hair thing, which I have. My husband, as well as my pastor, both said it was because of the custom of the day. I myself, believe in a woman having long hair, which I do. I also wear mostly, long skirts and dresses. I am Baptist(not the legalist Baptist, lol!) and you would not believe, or maybe you would, the amount of people that have asked me if it was a “weird religious thing”! For one, I find them more comfortable than paints. For another thing, I believe a girl should dress like a girl. Just my personal opinion. I even had one other Baptist girl tell me once, when a discussion came up about her nearing Baptism date, and I said I was a Christian, that she knew I was, because I always wore skirts. Hmmm…interesting…
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Your post about the long dressed reminded me of one time when I was entering a restroom and was looking down. The person in front of me had pants on. I looked up at her as we got inside and said with a big smile on my face, “I thought sure you were going in the wrong restroom because the sign on this one shows a dress and the other one shows pants.
Thankfully she just laughed.
On the end the whole dresses and pants thing is everyone’s conviction but I to only wear dresses. What just shows me that I must being doing the right thing is that many can tell I am a christian by the way I dress! ☺
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oh kendra, thank you for sharing! im glad you were open about why you wear a covering and thank you too for sharing the Bible verses and pictures!
makes me think 
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I have thought about head coverings in the past, but the long hair thing has also thrown me off. So if you have long hair, you don’t need a covering? My husband and I have decided against them for now but we totally respect woman that choose too. I think you did a great job explaining your decision.
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So very informative! Way to stand up for what you believe and do what you feel is right. I think this is what makes the world so great. We can research for ourselves what is right for us. I think if we were to do this with a bit less judgment, it would be great wouldn’t it? I actually never thought twice about it. I never even thought to ask!
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I have a question if you don’t mind? When it comes to the head coverings I notice lots of people wear white ones. Is there a significance to that (such as purity?) or can you wear any color you want? Also, if a person chooses to do this, can they wear any fashionable type of hat like you could buy at a department store for instance? I never thought too much about it before but I love watching vintage tv shows/movies and you always see ladies wearing hats back then. Not sure if it was just high fashion in those cases, or if it was a bit of a “values” thing too.
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In answer to Rebekah’s question…Does the color white have anything to do with the veiling?
While the color white does signify purity, it is not mentioned in Scripture in association with the Christian woman’s head covering. Neither is mentioned in Scripture of what style the head covering should be.
If you notice in other cultures, Africa and India for example, the women use saris or kerchiefs. Our Good Lord did not put in His book exactly what color or what style….He just gave us the principle.
The Lord is faithful in leading and guiding us, I can assure you of this. Pray for the Lord to show you what His will is,not just in this one area but in all areas of your life. I can testify of His sanctifying POWER, I just praise Him for that.
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I just stumbled upon your blog and have, over the past 13 years, have studied this and tried to understand if it is something I ought to do or if it was something that was done in those days and now is shown in a different way. One thing I have come to understand is that most women today have no desire to be under any authority. Not the case for me. When visiting with a new gal pal I asked her why she wore one and she asked me if I agreed with that portion of scriptuer. I do, I agree that I am under my husband’s authority and I am thankful for it. Though trying to find a way to keep a head covering on my head has not been easy. I have tied them on and they slip off leaving my hair all in my eyes because they pull my hair from the style I have put it under the covering. Thank you for sharing your understanding with all of us. Sincerely, Mommy of two growing blessings & so much more!
I’m glad you found me
I do know that finding a covering that will stay on is difficult. I actually hair spray mine down
because it is mesh. I have a couple coverings like the Mennonite Moms sells that I wear at home, those I have to clip on or they will fall off.
Thank you for taking time to explain this. I was always curious but I felt it was because of religious beliefs and never asked. I totally respect your position on this. It never occurred for me to do this. Since it was pretty much done away with in the Catholic church post Vatican II, I just assumed it was something only Mennonite or Amish women did nowadays. Thanks for helping to bring understanding to this!
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Hey Kendra! I will admit when I received the e-mail that you had posted about your head covering it interested me. I can’t say I was very interested in knowing why you wore one because I figured it was for religious reasons and didn’t think asking would be appropriate.
I’ve never considered wearing a head covering and honestly, I think my husband would be upset if I did. I cut my hair short once and he didn’t like it at all and was quite expressive about it. So I have always kept my hair long. I’ve never really thought of it in the biblical sense of why I should cover my head or wear long hair.
I guess that is why there are different interpretations of the bible and it is within each of us to interpret it the way we see fit as God did make us individuals and capable just that.
When I read, “1 Corinthians 11:5-6 But a woman dishonors her head if she prays or prophesies without a covering on her head, for this is the same as shaving her head. Yes, if she refuses to wear a head covering, she should cut off all her hair! But since it is shameful for a woman to have her hair cut or her head shaved, she should wear a covering. NLT”
I didn’t interpret it the way you do and that’s ok. I’m not putting your personal convictions at all…please don’t take it that way. I completely and totally respect your view and that is why I love reading your blog…for reasons like this.
I read it and took it as, if a woman has shorter hair or shaves her head, she should wear a covering and if she has longer hair it works as a covering.
As I was unpacking more of my things today I found my bible! I was so excited and can’t wait to read more…
Kim M.
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I found your blog through raising homemakers (I think). I am really pleased yo mentioned this subject as it is one that God is really talking to me about. I have been covering my head in church for a while but now I feel that God wants me to do it more full time. I come from a non Christian wider family who already think I am weird so it is hard. But I am trying to be obedient. Thankfully my husband is very supportive. I mostly stick to scarfs as they don’t fall off and don’t look too obvious… I sometimes wonder though whether God has me on this journey and he wants me to stand out more and these are just the stepping stones towards that.
Do the rest of your family cover? What sort of reaction, if any, do you get when you are out and about?
I’m going to share some stories soon about what has happened in the public over wearing a covering.
Most of my family does indeed wear a covering. And you do stand out, but I guess I am kinda used
to that. As Christians were are supposed to stand out for what we believe in. As far as scarves
go, use clips, or fun bobby pins. It makes a huge difference in keeping it on.
Blessings on your journey!
Very interesting post. Thank you for your thoughts! This is a part of a whole that my husband and I are so wanting to understand more. We were both raised in Christian homes and love Jesus with all our hearts. So we are not new to the faith. But, recently it occurred to us that we take some things very literally and others we toss by the wayside – mostly laws from the OT. But Jesus said that He came to FULFILL the laws of the OT, not to abolish them. So…what about a man shaving his beard or cutting off his hair? That one really gets to us. I honestly didn’t think much about covering, but it fits in with what we are already looking at. Why is it that we (general, not specific, regarding the Christian church) feel so free to take some things literally and some things not? Who are we to choose? I love the saying that the Bible is not trail mix to pick and choose what we like.
Anyway…thanks for your thoughts!
I have never heard that saying
But I do like it!
I often wonder about several different things as well. I have
friends who are Hebraic Christians and they follow many things
of the old law. So while I’m trying to understand their
viewpoint I am also seeing that much of the old law, being
fulfilled is gone. Any way, it’s interesting.
I pray you and your husband find the answers you are looking for.
I loved your post! I was convicted to cover when my oldest was just a toddler but my husband has only okay-ed it for church only, there are times I wear it all day, mine tend to look more like wide hair bands. I’ve done the kerchief, the kapp, the veil and my husband didn’t like any of them – I was actually given a nasty look when wearing the kapp out one day! Usually though the responses have been positive, men tend to open the doors for me or call me ma’am – I do wear dresses/skirts only. At one time I so desired to wear cape dress but my husband nixed that as well. He grew up Catholic, so even though some Catholics still wear mantilla’s it wasn’t done in his church and it’s been a source of struggle, my inlaws constantly ask why the girls don’t wear pants and tell me that women just don’t stay home anymore. My dad and one brother has asked me if it’s some religious thing – and while it started out as such – it’s not a legalistic thing (although legalism isn’t bad when it’s Scriptural – I mean if the Lord tells us to something in His Word, it can’t be legalism!) I was a feminist and am glad that I’m a woman and have repented of my evil and old ways. I was able to spend a weekend with a New Order Amish family a couple years ago and it was so awesome, only wish husband had went with me, and I was able to wear my kapp the entire time.
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So glad you shared, bless you.
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Thanks so much for sharing this post! I have one big question for you – do you feel this applies only to married women or to all women?
Personally, I plan to cover my head in some fashion for church at the very least when I get married . . . but I don’t currently do that as I am single and feel that head covering often sends the message that I am unavailable. Which is the last message I’d want to send a single Godly man God might have for me at church.
What are your thoughts?
Also, what about the verses about a woman’s long hair being her covering, do you think that is sufficient? Is there a greater need to cover if you choose to cut your hair shorter?
Just curious what your thoughts are – I’m only just learning more on the subject myself.
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Not only does the covering show submission to a woman’s husband, it also shows submission to Gods order.
With Christ the head of man and Man the head of woman. The covering shows that a woman is under the
protection of man. Be it her husband, father, father image ect. The covering does not show that a
woman is unavailable, but under protection.
As far as her hair being for a covering, the direct translation is her hair is to be covered. Just
like “water is for drinking” also means “water is to drink” I hope that makes sense.
I enjoyed reading your thoughts on this subject (it was also interesting to read through all of the comments). I too believe that this scripture is one to be taken literally and not just thrown out as being “a custom of the day”. I do not wear a covering all of the time but always have a kerchief or something handy to wear if I am going to pray (though I do also try to pray without ceasing, even in the shower so there are prayers that are done without my head being covered). I have had trouble knowing for sure if this should be a 24/7 thing and since my husband doesn’t care for me to cover my head all of the time- I have chosen to just do it at churh and then whenever I am stopping doing other things to spend time in prayer (such as before a meal, during my morning devotions, etc). As far as headcoverings I have chosen to simply wear hats (such as those that anybody might wear) or a Kerchief tied around or a scarf.
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It certainly is a heart thing. And there are many ways to honor and respect God’s order if headship. Blessings sister!
I was actually very interested to know this as well, and didn’t want to ask because I figured it would be rude and didn’t know how to word it! Thanks for sharing
Thank you for sharing this. I also agree that the verses you cited do say that in church, or at least during some form of public worship, a women should have a covering. I would do that it we chose to belong to a traditional church and have. My Husband prefers that I do not cover my head otherwise and I prayed long and hard and have. He has no problem with me covering during prayer or if I just feel like I need to. He is very, very respectful of many areas that I have asked him to consider my thoughts, feelings or convictions. So, I am respectful of his. It is not a violation to not be covered otherwise, and so that is where I am. If you want to cover otherwise I have no problem and love the creative looking coverings. LOVE them.
My one caveat was this. I went to a restaurant and there was a women who was dressed kind of like the 1800s (not Amish or mennonite, more like what people wear in old westerns) and had a head covering. She was outside nursing her baby and I had to as well. I was so excited because I assumed she was Christian. But she didn’t want to speak with me. We ran into her daughter later and my daughters were so excited to see another little girl with a nice dress on besides them. But again, they just kind of ignored me.
This could be a freak thing. Only it made us ASSUME, that we didn’t have skirts as long as them and we didn’t have coverings on so they didn’t want to converse with us.
I admit, I could be totally wrong. However, this was not the last time this has happened. It often comes across to me that I am too much a prude for crowd but not frumpy enough for some in the church LOL.
So I would just say, that a covering does not a Christian make, but it sounds like you already know that
Thank you again for sharing.
Carlotta
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That’s to bad that you were put off by other “Christians?”. Somehow or the other, I feel that we are all brothers and sisters in Christ. Not every one is going to read the bible the way I do, but if they are truly saved and the Lord shines through their actions, I am more than willing to accept them as who they are. At the same time, if I feel they are doing something that is directly against scriptures I may ask them where they are coming from on a certain issue. Not every one is the same, and we are all raised differently, so even that comes into play in how they live out their Christian life.
So glad you posted this! I prayed for a long time about this, and felt God lead me to ask my husband about what he would want me to do. I feel the headcovering is an outward way to show honor to him, while honoring the Lord in the process. He said he didn’t care either way. It’s something I think about a lot, but I feel confident in the decision I’ve made. Like you said, it’s our own convictions. I don’t wear pants or leggings to church at all, and I get asked about that a lot too. Again, it’s where God has lead ME, it has nothing to do with anyone else!
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Isn’t it interesting how our hubbys respond to things?
Hey Kendra! I’m glad you blogged about this. My best friend Lydia and I have had conversations about this, I find it a fascinating but like you, personal to each woman, subject.
After thought and prayer, Lydia decided to cover her head for corporate prayer, like prayer before Bible Study or in church and having the covering optional other times.
For myself, at first I was thinking it didn’t apply since it seemed to be cultural (the passage goes on to say that he didn’t know of any church with a different custom, which to me implies he considered it a custom) But a few years later I saw the verse about it being a sign to the angels and thought “Angels are outside the whims of human societies, so this seems to be something more than cultural.”
I started to wear a covering (I consider anything that covers part of my head a covering. I can be a bandana, a hat, a snood, a large barette, etc) but I’m scatterbrained and kept forgetting/losing them. Then I analyzed the message and how it seems to imply that man is above the woman.
In the Greek, as I understand it, woman and wife are the same words (like femme in French) and I wondered if this passage was not for unmarried women (which I am.)
Because of the doubt I prayed and God and I have kind of reached this understanding- at times, when I feel convicted and as a show of submission I will cover. But since I am unmarried I don’t wear it daily. But when I get married, I plan on it…
Then I told Ryan, my fiance.
And he hates the idea of me wearing a covering. A) He loves my hair and wants it to show and b) he feels like it makes him seem autocratic or something.
And since it seems to symbolize being under his authority, wouldn’t wearing a head covering be flaunting his authority if he hates them? Then again, there is the verse about the angels.
So… not sure again. Maybe I will wear them as Lydia does, for corporate prayer. I think Ryan and I should pray about it, but he’s not particularly concerned, since there’s so much else going on in our lives. We’ll see.
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Oh! And just to add to the conversation Lydia told me about a woman she knows who says her hair is a covering so she just keeps it long for this reasons, citing “For her hair is given to her as a covering.” (1 Cor 11:15). And I have been growing my hair out for 5 years (and yes, it’s still only this long. My hair grows like molasses flows.) So maybe I’ll pray about that.
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I have felt the need to wear a covering for awhile now. I’m Baptist, and my husband is not yet a Christian. So he really doesn’t see the need in my wearing a covering. He does like my hair long, and I have honored him in that, but I would still like to wear an inconspicuous covering. Does anyone have any ideas for me?
A snood crocheted in thread the color of you hair would be a start. The Mennonite Mom that has an ad on my site makes these black
lace bandanas, they seem to be really pretty and would cover nicely without looking to conspicuous. My advice though is to always
honor his wishes, so if he is flat out saying no, honor that and pray that the Lord would work in his heart. ~Blessings
I’ve been led to cover lately as well. You are right that we should take the Bible at face value. This can be hard on our rebellious little hearts…but what a blessing we receive when we’re obedient!
Hope you have a great day!
Mrs. Sarah Coller
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Our rebellious little hearts. I couldn’t have said it better!
It’s very interesting! I learnt something. I’m a Methodist christian ( my grand father was a Minister indeed ) but I attended catholic schools because in France, Protestants preferred Secularism so we have very few Protestant schools here. So I was used to cover my head in Church because it’s recommended to women to wear on a scarf or a hat. I say recommended because it’s not compulsory because some women doesn’t do it. I think it’s tolerated because French are not pious. Thank you for sharing this!
Prisca
I didn’t know that about France, how interesting.
Thank you for taking the time to explain this. I loved reading the comments. My conviction is the head covering is for today…I go to a church where this is explained from the Bible and we have explained it to our children. What a privilege to read the Bible at face value as you mentioned. But I want to live out what my head covering symbolizes! Do I submit to my kind husband? That old nature wants to be in charge from time to time. I want my walk and my talk to match! Blessings as you continue to encourage us!
Beautifully worded!
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