nail polish...

My first night at campaigners. Familiar faces. Unknown names. Sweet interactions. Diving in deep. Ready to be a supporter for this incredible group of leaders. I had no idea how my life would be so enriched by the beauty of this new step in ministry. After diving into 1 John with a small group of Juniors girls...the smell of nail polish began to envelope the room. The girls began to talk and giggle and paint each others nails. I had just polished mine a new great color of purple, otherwise I would of jumped in finding a cool color to adorn my own. However, as I sat there I saw her. TR. As I lingered watching her, I was drawn to her. I wanted to know her story. What was behind the forced smile? What was going on within her? So I asked her if she ever painted her nails. Her response- Never! It doesn't match her "style". Chacos and pink doesn't work. I then continued to explain my love for the colors that makes my grandmother cringe and say, "Why don't you just wear pink or red?" I love purple, turquoise, dark blue, green...etc. I told her that I wear chacos too. Then my greatest feat was accomplished. TR let me paint her nails. She was letting me in a little more into her life. TR found me on facebook that night and this was the message that I received.

"Thanks for making me feel like not such a loser tonight. The nail polish looks great."

-TR

This was only the beginning of what would spark a lasting friendship. Verbal conversations are few, but the girl loves to share the deep things of her heart via a facebook email. I can always count on a few surface words shared that Wednesday night, but when I get home...there is a message from TR. I am truly beginning to anticipate those.

It's these...the heart of a girl...I long to know more of...it's messages like this that remind me that there are many girls where this is going on within them...and I long to dive into the mess of their lives to share the love of Christ with!

"My mind is going crazy. It's like there's a mess of emotions and problems that I have shoved down and out of my mind that are surfacing and they are screaming in my head. So I've been trying to untangle that mess. Although, all that I've figured out so far is that my mind is so messed up.

So I don't really know why I felt the need to tell you all of this. I don't really have anyone else to talk to, I guess. Maybe it's because nobody has ever convinced me to wear nail polish, so accomplishing that feat has made you worthy of knowing all my useless problems.
Thanks for being nice!"

-TR

thanks nail polish!