09/17/2024
The last few years has changed us all in some way. Our everyday lives were changed when we found ourselves battling fear. Honestly at times I find myself uneasy in crowded spaces. So I we took to the outdoors to relax. Upon returning home my fearless bestie invited me to go to the nail salon. This was my first time that I had been back since wearing mask and avoiding handshakes. We entered the packed out salon and took a seat but were almost immediately called back. Being a writer I keep my nails cut so there was not much to work with, but whatever. I wanted to show my fearless sidekick that I could do this. After all I had finished my second book Forever Not Always and I owed myself this time. Just my nails today please, I smiled. So I waited. Meantime I feel like I look ridiculous in my nervousness I slipped my mask back on. The lady changed me to chair 5. I honestly felt I was having teeth pulled. But my dentist is much nicer! Meantime my fearless sidekick is smiling from across the room as she sits on her throne for a pedicure. Towels covering her, she is in first class. I meantime sit waiting.
THEN, another woman sits across from me. No hello. No smile Gel or powder? she asked me. I am not eating, I just want my nails painted. "Just paint" You do not want Gel? No Ma'am just paint. It was on. She then stops. She then informs me to go to another chair #27. By the look on the ladies face I have now been downgraded to coach seat. No smile. No hello. I have just spent 10 days in the wilderness enjoying God's creation. Even the birds smiled there. The lady finally begins painting right hand. Thank you Lord! Fifteen minutes later, I now have one hand with my nails painted. BUT THEN, you cannot make this up. The lady reaches over and gets this box thing with a light in it, Used. Does not wipe it down. No smile. No alcohol wipes. Then she proceeds to instruct me to place my hand with the wet paint inside this unclean lighted box. I reached and suddenly every documentary that I had ever seen on hidden germs and their hands rot off came to my mind!
place your hand in! She got made at me! I prefer to not. She then takes my hand and presses it into the box. Oh no she did not just do that. It is mother's day and this salon is packed out. I did not want to go to jail on mother's day. I pulled my hand back, and she began to talk not in english language. I looked at her. I am not certain of what you are saying to me right now, but I do not believe it is very nice!
She refuses to paint my other hand! I walked back out front with my one painted hand and ask for the manager. She returned. This unhappy person was the manager! By now I have had enough. I walked outside and prayed Lord, I am being tried. I cannot see any purpose in what has happened to me, but I give it to you. Turned away because I did not want to put my clean hand in the dirty lighted box. I did not know what that lady was going through. As for me I made a decision to stay outside the box. Waiting on my fearless side kick to finish I sat in a chair and smiled anyway. A few seconds went by and a sweet lady sat down next to me. We begin talking about camping. We had been praying for a Christian camping group. The sweet lady began telling me of a group that her parents were involved. Just before I had prayed. God what is happening? I had tried to be nice to the lady painting my nails. She did not want to be happy. Had I not left to go to the front of the salon I would have not met the sweet lady and talked. Also God showed me something. We are living in times that we do not always fit in just everyone's chair. It is important more than ever to be on alert to where we place our hands. Our bodies and our minds. Our guardian angel often upsets the little devil sitting on other s shoulders. In times like this it is more important than ever to be protective our hands and guard our hearts. That sad woman took nothing away from me, however I had receive more than she could ever provide. Joy that comes when we are reminded how special we are to God. I had an unpainted hand to remind me. God always provides. Always know where your hands belong, and who you belong too. Have a great week, E.
