“Owwww!” was my loud response as I looked down at my cracked nail. With the thick, hard gel coating, trickling blood was a notable sign of trauma.
I was in a hurry. I had an upcoming appointment that afternoon, and I was preparing the condo for guests expected shortly afterward. While retrieving the cleaning cloth needed for the washroom, I noticed that my windows were covered in that white-dust film that only a humidifier that ran 24 hours per day could produce. So, I paused the bathroom cleanse to wash the floor-to-ceiling windows. In my hurry, while moving the heavy wicker dining room chair to reach the top of the window, I didn’t realize my lengthy nail had gone inside the weave until it was too late. The snap was almost simultaneous with my howl of pain and frustration.
I wrapped the tip of my finger in Band-Aids and finished the windows, challenged only when trying to wring out my cloth, grateful that the injury was on my left hand. Despite my taping, the nail broke cleanly inside my rubber glove while cleaning the toilet a few minutes later. The second bandaging job protected the raw edge from further damage, kept dirt and debris out, and contained the blood. It was actually better this way than experiencing more pain every time I struck the fractured end.
With no time to deal with the crippled appendage, I went on to finish my housework and get ready for my appointment. The nail repair had to wait.
The luxury of having someone else do your nails becomes an inconvenience when you break one. There’s no YouTube video showing a DIY repair without having the proper materials. I needed a specialist to fix my slip-up. So, I was at the mercy of my esthetician’s schedule and his tender-hearted, loving kindness to fit me in.
Typing this blog post with one nail half the length of the others was not fun—just sayin.
I am grateful that when we slip up in our walk with God, we don’t have to wait for Him to fit us into His schedule. The Specialist is always available to fix me when I ask.
God’s Word tells us, “if we confess our sins to him, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all wickedness” 1 John 1:9 (NLT). We don’t need to make an appointment for the service; we merely need a repentant heart.
The Bible also says that “we all fall short of God’s glorious standard” Romans 3:23 (NLT). That means that we have to go in for maintenance regularly. I like to start my day with that appointment, including a steaming cup of coffee and quiet time with God. Each morning, I ask the Specialist to repair my breaks and make me strong and whole, ready to face whatever my day brings.
What About You?
Do you keep regular appointments with your Creator? Every time we “fall short,” we end up with a crack in our relationship with God. He wants to do the repairs as quickly as possible to prevent further damage, but He does require us to ask.
Pray with Me
Father, thank You for being faithful and just to forgive my sins. I never want our relationship to form cracks. Cleanse my heart and walk by my side throughout each day. Your love and strength make life hope-filled and joyful, even through difficult times. Thank You for offering an open appointment to spend time with You. Amen.
Valda Goudie is a teacher and author of the Tickle Me with a Crowbar! series (available on Amazon and Kobo.com). Visit her site at https://valsstage.com/ and download Book 1 for free
