Tough as Nails

God sure is a sneaky (awesome) dude sometimes. 

You may be asking yourself what I mean. Well,  I had another moment from this weekend at CCC's Women's Retreat that involved God not only working overtime but also revealing some cool new "tools" in my ministry arsenal. Apparently, I can paint fingernails. Who knew, right? Not this girl. 

Here's what happened: We had about three hours of free time on Saturday afternoon from around 2:30-5:30pm. There were quite the variety of activities from which to choose: Yoga, nature walk, games, nap, chatting, etc. After contemplating my options, none really grabbed my attention. Instead I found myself asking God what He wanted Me to do with my free time. I thought "Maybe I should blog." Well, we didn't have internet. Scratch that idea. Suddenly, I remembered that I packed my hodgepodge fingernail polish collection that weekend, so decided I would do my nails. 

For some reason, I was inclined to take my eclectic variety of polish down to the big conference room and camp out on a table as opposed to staying in my room. (Why? I have no idea, other than God was nudging me to it.) 

Long story still long (again,) I ended up with two coats of polish on my nails before things went an unexpected direction. I struck up a conversation with Jennifer, who I didn't know really well at that point, but soon escalated to "Want me to paint your fingernails while we talk?" She agreed... And God went to work. In my random "kit" I had some detail brushes for doing designs. I had only done it to myself once with less than satisfactory results. For some reason Jennifer and I were feeling kinda feisty... so we stepped out of our comfort zone and attempted to paint a design on her ten cute "Rosy Future" pink nails. 

My first "victim" Jennifer... Feisty Rosy Future Nails... RAWR. 

Dear Shannon with her "Jesus Fish"

Thus, God revealed a new ministry to me-- nail design painting. By the time that our free time has wrapped up, I had about five sets of fingernails and three sets of toes added to my resume of design. See, I told you God was a funny dude. 

My boss Kelli even stepped out of
the box and went blue... With a design
I created... "I am the vine..."

The greatest part of that afternoon? No, it wasn't discovering this new random hidden talent (although since I was doing it for free, I did offer a money back guarantee) Rather it was the fellowship and conversations that were had. I knew that every lady at the retreat had a different story. Some were in a great season of life. Some were in a challenging season. But seasons aside, all of those fingernail owners were awesome women of faith and tough as nails. 

My new adorable friend Jamie:
"Oh my, ya'll... my husband
isn't gonna know
what to think!" 

Jesus had some experience with nails too... Except these were nails of love and sacrifice, ones that pierced his hands so that we could have a hope and future. God, funny dude that He is, can reveal some incredible messages in loving and touching ways, whether that be in a bottle of electric blue nail polish... or hanging from a cross on a hill far away. Today, I am thanking God for making His son "Tough as Nails." 

Thankful for our "Rosy Future," 

SGK 

Bardie working some gorgeous nails!

"He forgave us all our sins, having canceled the written code, with its regulations, that was against us and that stood opposed to us; he took it away, nailing it to the cross. And having disarmed the powers and authorities, he made a public spectacle of them, triumphing over them by the cross." Colossians 2:14-15

Not gonna lie, Mary's might be my favorite-- I think I
accidentally painted the "Holy Spirit" onto her nails.
Gives a whole new meaning to the term "Spirit Fingers."