The Date:August 21, 2009; 3:30 p.m.
Central Standard Time
The Place: Nails 2000, Dallas, Texas
The Human
Form: Two women; one
approximately 25 years old, the other approximately 50
Dear
Girlfriends,
I was in a
hurry as I raced into my favorite nail salon for a quick manicure. My heart was
pounding and my adrenaline was pumping - not because of my quick pace, but
because of fear and anticipation. In my arms - for the first time - I carried my book.
It was an early
edition, hot off the press and literally, just minutes before leaving my
office, I opened the long-awaited package from my publisher that contained the single
copy.
Excitement
and a sense of accomplishment washed over me - for about 15 seconds, only to be
immediately replaced with FUD: fear of failure; uncertainty of my next steps;
and doubt. Lots of doubt: What in the
world was I thinking, writing a book?
But like a
bystander who can't turn away from the scene of a gory accident, I couldn't put
the book down. As I drove to the nail salon, the book sat on my lap, the pink
cover looking up at me. Although I placed it in the passenger seat after I
parked (not intending to take it into the salon with me) like a newborn, it
somehow made its way back into my arms and I rushed in.
Sitting side
by side at the first nail station were two women who looked up as I walked in.
As I hurried by them, they stopped me. "Whose book is that?" one of them asked.
I answered dumbly, "Mine." They giggled, "No. I know it's yours. Who wrote it
and what is it about?" A little embarrassed, I told them that I wrote the book
and that it was a devotional for women.
The angels
getting coats of pink polish swooned over the cover and asked if they could
look through it while I had my nails done. I vapor-locked. "Well. Yes. Of
course." "Oh, Lord," I thought, "Here it comes." As I handed the book to
them, I thought to myself, "This is going
to be embarrassing."
I could
hear the younger angel reading aloud to the older angel, but I couldn't tell
what she was reading...but once, I thought I heard them giggle. By the time I
finally got the courage to turn around and look at them, they were both crying.
CRYING! Oh, good grief! I never figured it would be so bad that women would cry!
When they
finished their manicures, my Nails 2000 angels brought the book back to me,
telling me how one of the devotionals particularly touched their hearts. As
they left, they hugged me, applauded me, and celebrated with me. In less than
60 seconds, two total strangers - one named Caroline and the other named Venise
- angel-bombed me with encouragement.
Worry weighs a person
down; an encouraging word cheers a person up. Proverbs 12:25
My angels
could have kept to themselves - but instead they started a friendly exchange
with a total stranger. My angels could have curbed their enthusiasm - reserving
their positive energy for each other or someone else. But my angels with the
perfectly-manicured nails taught me a powerful lesson on August 21, 2009: You
never know when your extension of warmth and kindness might just turn another
person's FUD into absolute delight!
Getting
"the full treatment" at my salon,
Ellen
Posted by Ellen on February 19, 2010 5:40 PM
| Category: An Angel Bombing
Well I'm thinking that this is probably a wonderful thing you did writing this book. I've really enjoyed blogging about your book. I have devoted every morning to my soul sharing with the world about what your devotionals meant to me. I have a girlfriend that reads your devotionals and because of this book we have bonded and become the best of friends. I now have 16 followers and have made cards to share to everyone female I meet to buy your book and share in my blogs. I want to thank you for this book. It means a lot to a lot to me and a lot of women you are a inspiration....thanks....Ava Shirley.... www.braineymess.blogspot.com
I've been buying a new yearly devotional book for the past several years and this year I stumbled across yours at one of the online Christian booksellers.
I bought this pink book you mention above and I can honestly tell you that its the first time in years that I look forward to my nightly devotional time and don't want to stop at just one page.
Its a wonderful book, so well written and so real to the world we are living in. Thank you so much for being brave enough to write it. Truly inspirational.
Ellen,
As Christmastime, I came across your pink book for a dear friend of mine. I decided that both of us needed a copy so I also bought one for me. Daily we discuss your inspiration for the day. Many times it is just motivation we need at that time, and we enjoy your insight. It is like you know us and our struggles! We have enjoyed this book so much that we have each bought copies for other friends. Thank you for a wonderful book!
Dear Ellen-
My daughter gave me your book yesterday and asked if I recognized the author. I was so surprised to find out that I actually knew her. I love the book. It was the only one left in stock at our Lifeway store. It is inspiring, uplifting, spiritual and just so down to earth. I don't want to put it down. Of course I remember a lot of the things you mention about your family since I knew your mother and grandmother. I am anxious to pass this book on to others. Thank you so much for sharing.
