I went to get a pedicure today. Partly because my feet needed it badly. Partly because I just wanted to get out of the condo for a little while. But mostly, I just wanted to go and do something relaxing. I clearly chose the wrong day for that to happen…
I sat next to a muslim woman in her full garb today. Maybe I am just naive, but I guess I thought that since they dressed so modestly, they would also be quiet and reserved, shy even. I was dead wrong.
Anna was a talker. Apparently she had a fall in December and “nearly died” so hasn’t been in for several months. She mentioned this to each person she came in contact with, so I got to hear the story several times. I asked her if she landed on her back or her head. But no. She landed on her feet. Genuinely interested, I asked how you almost die from landing on your feet. I really didn’t understand. She couldn’t answer that one…
She spoke of her wonderful, perfect children, and her wonderful, perfect husband. She would ask questions, but wouldn’t wait for the answers. Which led to my all but giving up trying to have any part in the conversation. She told me of all the things that I should try – oils and moisturizers and vitamins that would be wonderful for my skin (she DID have beautiful skin). She then told me about Last Chance – the leftovers from The Rack and Nordstrom. She had gotten great deals on shoes and boots and purses and Seven for All Mankind jeans. This struck me as funny since she was clad in all of her beautiful muslim garb. And so I just had to ask. Did she wear this all the time or did she sometimes wear “normal” clothes? She was more than happy to tell me that she dressed normally at home with family, but any time that she was in public she would wear her muslim clothing so that she would not be attractive to other men.
This led to another monologue about her beliefs and life. I listened carefully, asked questions here and there (when I could get a word in edgewise) and just made myself available to her. And when it was time for me to go, she nearly got emotional when she told me how good it was to talk with me and realized that I would soon be moving out of state. She just needed to be heard and accepted and valued. Somehow she felt that today.
And it hit me. Sometimes in interactions with people God uses my words to touch others. But sometimes He just wants to use my ears. And He always just wants me to be available to use one or the other or both.
Was it a relaxing pedicure? Absolutely not! But was it the right day to be there, I really think it was…and dang my toes look good!
