Fingernails

Eric and I had planned to take advantage of our Saturday and sleep in until 10:00 AM. Needless to say, it didn't happen. On this particular day Caden decided he wanted to get up at 8. I decided to sneak out and take care of him while Eric caught a few more ZZzzZZz's.

After I finished getting Caden ready, I noticed how dirty his nails were. I said to myself "why are little boys nails always so dirty?". I have to clean his nails at least once a day, if not more. While cleaning and cutting away, I started thinking about how adventurous he is and how he explores every nook and cranny. His little hands are hard at work and play each and every single day. I began to realize that even though it's "dirt" in a way it is a small testimony of who he is.

Immediately, I started wondering about what kind of things would be found under my fingernails. Would the labors of my hands, or even better yet the depths of my heart, show through? If you looked, would you see the mountains I've climbed, the holes I've dug, or even the waters I've treaded? In reality, maybe not, but figuratively I would hope you'd see a reflection of my true self. My true self would look something like this:

- A woman who is self cautious about her outside looks.
- A mother who is STILL trying to figure it all out. All the books in the world aren't helping me!
- A wife who has let her husband down, time and time again but is still working through it.
- A sinner who is undeniably unworthy of God's renewing compassion and eternal gift of life.
- A person who loves to sing, even if the voice doesn't match the hearts desire!
- A person who would rather look on people hearts, rather than their actions or words.
- Someone who has been pushed.
- Someone who has done the pushing.
- A person who has trouble trusting people, and a harder time replenishing that trust when its been broken.
- Someone who has had their heart broken...and then repaired.
- A person who needs forgiveness every single day...
- Someone who has given forgiveness...

If I allowed it, if I were humble, honest, and open...you'd see all those things. Maybe not under my fingernails but certainly through my faith, actions, reactions, and works. We are not perfect, but we are blemish free to God and though I may have done things to be shameful of, God has restored my soul each day. Had I not been through the storms, I wouldn't be able to be a "shelter" for those going through those same storms now.

So with that said, what would you find under your fingernails?