Nailed, by Jane Schmidt, 2002

Sometimes what we hear is not always what is said.

One of my vices is I love to have my nails done. I'm a fairly natural person if you don't count my hair shade, my indoor artificial tan, and my passion for wearing black--a slimming color. But, I thrill at a trip to Cali Nails for add ons and a new paint job--preferably Bogata Berry.

I love to sit in the chair with my hands extended listening to the Vietnamese chatter. I often wonder what they are saying and wouldn't it be incredible if I could understand and suddenly join in on their conversation. Sometimes I imagine they are saying things like--Do you believe these stupid Americans are willing to pay $20 for a pair of plastic extensions on their fingers? I must admit I always take notice that none of those working in the store are wearing any of these fake pointers.

One day as I sat in the chair in the usual position--hands extended, enjoying the attention my hands were getting; the young man who had just completed my additions and was preparing to add color asked, "You pray?"

Wow! I thought. Is it obvious even to this foreigner how important prayer is to me? Maybe he had noticed that I was praying as he filed my nails seeing as how I couldn't join in on his conversation with coworkers. Maybe he had seen my lips moving" in prayer as I asked God to help me keep them dry once this guy added the color.

He repeated, "You pray?"

I had been in this store every month for the past year and had never been asked such a personal question and in such a straightforward manner. I was wearing my gold cross. He must have noticed this and wondered about prayer. "Yes," I said, "I do." I nodded and smiled at him.

His eyes looked directly into mine with a little more urgency, "You pray now?"

My concern was how to introduce him to prayer. This was something new to me. Where do the Vietnamese attend church? What are their country's beliefs about God? Should I ask him what his prayer requests were? Obviously, he had some or he wouldn't be directing me to pray now. I looked back at him, somewhat speechless, wondering where to begin, knowing what an awesome task this is to lead someone in prayer but knowing nothing in life was of more importance.

His voice was higher and more forceful as I sat contemplating how to begin. "You pray now before color so your nails be okay. "

Wow! He was concerned about my nails when we were in prayer. As I looked more closely at his face, and I watched the gaze of his eyes, they fell upon my purse. Suddenly divine inspiration hit! I reached in my purse, took out my money, and I paid.

Yes, indeed, sometimes what is heard is not always what is said.

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