"Touched Up” by an Angel

Well known for her extrovert personality and boisterous laughter, what is little known of Carla Angel Gatling is her childhood dream and current endeavors to becoming an independent business owner. Gatling, 26, has been using her education and BBA in management to take advantage of several job opportunities, yet never losing focus of her true goal. I recently had the pleasure of picking her brain to see what drives her so intensely.

How long have you been doing hair?
I’m not really sure. I started when I was younger, braiding my neighbor’s hair, but I didn’t think of making it a career at the time. I always kept my hair done (or at least tried to [smiles] and then I started practicing on other people - mainly cousins. So…long story short, I’d say I’ve been serious about it for about 7-8 years and I’ve been licensed for a year.

What was the starting point for your wanting to do hair? Or when did you say to yourself ” this is what I want to do”?
I like to help people look good. Sometimes I can look at a person and [just] know what style would look good on them. I am an entrepreneur and always looking for ways to make money. I thought this would be a good business to get into since this is [of] interest to me. With my personality and attitude (not a bad attitude) … I’m not meant to work for anyone else but myself.

I know you went to school for business, how did that play a part in you wanting to do hair?
I chose my degree based on my long-term goal which is to own and manage my own Hair Salon & Spa. So I earned a BBA in Management, not for a “job” right now, but for a career [in the future].

And you actually went back to school for cosmetology, right?
Yes, after I graduated from Howard. I went to Cosmetology school full time.

So not only are you just a women’s hair stylist, but you are a licensed cosmetologist - so that means hair, nails, shape ups, the whole nine, right?
Yes [smiles] Hair. Nails. I’ve only done a shape up once, but practice makes perfect.

So you could give me a shape up, huh?
Sure, if that’s the look you going for.

Do you think I need a shape up? [laughing]
No…you rock the bald look so that wouldn’t be necessary [smiling]

Who frequents your styling chair more, men or women?
Women. I think men with hair (locks or braids) prefer women to do it, but men with close cuts and shape ups prefer a man to do it. [That’s something] I’ve learned just from talking to people about their hair.

What is your signature style?
Since I wore a roller wrap for probably 13 years (yes 13 years), I’d say that’s my signature style. In my opinion, for women with length on their hair, that’s the easiest way to keep your hair, wrap it!

What/who inspires you in life?
My family.

What/who inspires you as is pertains to hair?
My vision inspires me. I can see it all in color! That’s what pushes me to continue.

So, I know at one time you aspired to own your own business, is that still the case?
Yes.

And how long do you expect it to take before coming to fruition?
I’m really praying for it to come within the next 2 years, maybe before.

Okay, what else do you do (career wise)?
I’ve recently resigned from a job as a Bookkeeper. I am currently working as an EA.

How many jobs have you worked in the past?
This is my 3rd job.

Were they all a means to an end?
Yes, all my jobs were a means to an end. I may not have realized it initially, but I have been able to take something from each position I’ve held and I’ll be able to use it when I have my own business. With 2 jobs I’ve had, I was able to work full-time and go to school full-time, the best of both worlds :o)

How long have you been working both?
Since I graduated High School

How long do you plan on doing both?
A couple more years.

Where do you see yourself in the next 5 years?
I don’t put limits on Goa and what is in store for me. He knows my hearts desire, so we’ll see [smile/wink]

Lastly, do you have any advice for others that may be looking to start their own business?
Yup! If you want it, go after it! Don’t drag your feet. Never doubt your abilities and talents, and go after what you want. To avoid “shoulda couldas”, just do it! [playfully smiles].

I’m grown

“But the meek shall inherit the earth, and shall delight themselves in the abundance of peace” – Psalms 37:11

When I think about what it means to be a Christian, that is, a true follower of Christ, I cant help but to remember reading as a child about the compassion and humility of Jesus that was displayed toward all men. Here it stands, the King of kings and Lord of lords – who by our standards (and Jewish belief) had every conceivable reason to be gaudy in appearance and high minded within Himself– remained humble in every encounter He had with the world.

Shall we not as Christians take the same path as our walk way? In the word of God, and in Jesus’ own ministry, much emphasis is placed on the spirit of humility. After all, it is no irony that Jesus is known as the lamb of God – innocence and meekness are His character.

On the contrary, I have seen and heard far too often several of us Christians – and I say “us” because I too have been guilty - make the declaration that “I’m grown”. I never really gave it much thought until a recent observation renewed the thought and led me to give further consideration to the statement. What I have discerned is that “I’m grown” is a spirit - an ungodly spirit that is directly attached to pride and is the converse of accountability. For the sake of those that do not feel comfortable with the idea of having a “spirit” in them, I’ll use the term “mindset”. Such a stronghold as this mindset is detrimental to the Christian walk because it alleviates one from having to answer to those in authoritative position. Or so it seems. Furthermore, if there is an irreverence for authority, one should certainly dismiss the rule and pleading of the least of men. Basically, “I’m grown” feels “I don’t have to answer to anyone”.


In his various letters to the church, Paul stresses the importance of interdependency among the saints, knowing that independence and division – as a result of pride – accomplishes nothing. In Romans 12:3-4 Paul admonishes every man “not to think of himself more highly than he ought to think; but to think soberly, according as God hath dealt to every man the measure of faith. For as we have many members in one body, and all members have not the same office.” He is clear to point out the fact that we are not all the same, nor do we all possess the same gifts and talents, yet we all work together as one to accomplish the assignment that Christ (our Head) has appointed us. He says there are many members within this body and all were not designed to do the same thing, thus we cannot all serve the same function, but no man is to think of himself as being a greater member than another on the basis of his function. Consider the possibility that the function of a greater member is dependent upon that of a lesser. A hand cannot function as a hand ought to function if its fingers are not in compliance. We need each other. Further, we must be mindful that in this body, Christ is the head; therefore He controls all things, and our dependency and function rests in Him. Often times, we fail to remember that our successes and achievements are not of our own merit. It is by the Grace of God that we possess the gifts and talents that we do, and it is with the encouragement and help of others (also ordained by God) that we progress. We are NOTHING without God, and it is imperative that we never forget that fact.

In an 2002 interview for the release of his cd Remember, Christian artist Jason Upton makes this statement: “For me, ‘remembering’ often makes me deal with the truth about how dependent I really am. I believe that this is particularly important in Western Civilization where such a high value is placed on independence. I think ‘remembering’ puts independence in its proper place. The truth is that we are not independent at all; and our forgetfulness of this truth epitomizes our sinful condition. ‘Remember’, he says, ‘is one of the most frequently repeated commands in the Old Testament. Even God Himself, as revealed through the prophets, appears as much a reflective and contemplative Being as one Who focuses only on the future. That the God and Father of us all and the Creator of the universe would take time to ‘remember’ should give us some idea of the importance of such a discipline.’”

As it relates, the harm in “forgetting” is that it gives way to conceit. We tend to believe that “we deserve” or “we” did this or “we” did that as if “we” really matter. The independently proud shall be no more remembered than the dependent humble when he has passed. The story of their lives shall be consider after their passing, but the greater of the two stories will be that of humility and compassion, not of boastful arrogance. The unforeseen danger that awaits the independently proud is an inevitable self destruction – isolation from others - and a greater spiritual destruction –separation from God. The word of the Lord tells us that the way that seems right unto man results in death. This occurs when man chooses to follow his own path, leaning to his own understanding rather than trusting in the Lord who has designed us to be dependent solely on Him.

“…Therefore He says: God resists the proud, but gives grace to the humble. Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you. Draw nigh to God and He will draw nigh to you. Cleanse your hands ye sinners; and purify your hearts, ye double minded. Be afflicted, and mourn, and weep: let your laughter be turned to mourning, and your joy to heaviness. Humble yourselves in the sight of the Lord, and He will lift you up.” - James 4:6 - 10

Beautiful Thought

I was sitting around one day, and it just hit me: God wants all of us to be saved! The message was loud and clear – Salvation is free! Neither of these statements are new concepts, nor should they take you by surprise, but the beauty of it is that God has given us everything we need to find our way back to Him and be saved. By sin, we are separated from Him, but He does not desire for us to stay distant, but instead His desire is a relationship with us.

For us to be in fellowship and develop and relationship with God we first need faith, for without faith it is impossible to please God. So what did God do? He dealt to every man a measure of faith. The book of Romans tells us that faith comes by hearing and hearing by the word of God. So what does God do? He gives us His word. We know that we obtain salvation by grace through faith, so what does God do? He gives us grace as well! So that’s free word, free faith, free grace, free salvation. Not to mention, He daily provides us with mercy. Above all, God gave us His son that we may, through His blood, have access into the holiest of holy and be in fellowship with Him. Furthermore, the book of Hebrews tell us that through Jesus, who is made a high priest forever (after the order of Melchisedec), because he continueth forever, is eternally able to save them to the uttermost that come to God by Him, seeing He ever lives to make intercession for them.

So to reiterate, we have been given free word, free faith, free grace, free salvation, and a free savior and high priest that is forever going to God on our behalf that we may obtain free reconciliation to Him when we fall. Thus far, our balance remains at zero cost to us. Talk about a savings plan!

Suspicious yet? “What’s the catch” you ask? “What does it really cost”? If you’re gaining all of these benefits, what are you required to give up? Well, God wants your trust. And not only that, but He wants your life. For all that He has given, and continues to give, all He asks is that you trust Him enough to exchange your life for the life that He has planned for you. That is it, and that is still of no cost to you. Just consider it as a more-than-fair exchange, especially given the fact that He gave you life to begin with. Consider this: when you die, you can’t take anything with you, right? So that means YOU DON”T OWN IT! You own nothing, it’ s just on loan. Even in a life of sin, all that we need God’s hands have graciously provided, so why would He cease to provide for those that be in His like and trust Him over what is bound to the earth? Doesn’t make sense to me either. (For those of you scratching your heads, the answer is HE WOULDN”T!)

The idea of cost is considered by those who place value on their lives and the tangible things within their lives that they have worked to acquire. The “cost” of a sacrifice such as required by God is an uncertain gamble that may entail the incur of a loss altogether, which for them is too risky. If you agree that there is truth to this statement then you should also agree that one’s hesitancy to make the sacrifice displays a lack of trust in God, and therein lies the problem. The Lord hears: “God I trust You with my life, BUT…”

However, on the contrary, the concept of an exchange is considered by those who understand that there is no loss to be acquired. Rather, the understanding is that they are simply giving up something to gain something in return. Thus, it can be assumed that either they have placed NO value on that which they are giving up, or they value that which they are gaining in return as greater than that which they are letting go. In either case, the exchange shows that there is a trust factor between the participants involved. More specifically, this person is outwardly professing their trust in the Lord by relinquishing what little control of their lives [they think] they have into the hands of God . The Lord hears: “God I trust You! What you have planned for my life is better than what I have done and will ever do for myself; please lead the way”.

Point of challenge: Who controls your life? Is it you or Christ? Have you fully submitted yourself to be led by the Spirit of God or do you still feel the need to hold on to those trivial things and matters that you want to? It is in the story of Abraham that we learn that actions speak louder than words, so if your faith is in Christ, prove it. Show Him. Stand on His word and surrender your life to Him wholly.


"It is not the will of God that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance" – 2 Peter 3:9