Perfect Nails, Perfect Life?
When I returned from the Philippines trip with the LWMLC I noticed something as I looked at my hands. Perfect nails; no rips, hang nails, cracks. Nothing! Now the Philippines is hot and humid so maybe it was the weather that kept them so healthy. Or wait a minute, maybe it was because I wasn’t washing dishes, chopping vegetables, cleaning the toilet or any of the other tasks I normally do at home. I was a lady of leisure. No housework, no meal prep, no cleaning up, just enjoying the good food, the good fellowship, and enjoying new experiences. Perfect nails. Who could ask for more?
But wait a minute. If I’m not doing anything, not fixing and serving meals, not taking care of my house, what is my purpose? Does the Lord want me to sit around and be served so I can have perfect nails? As much as I appreciated that short time of perfect nails, it was soon back to broken nails, etc. as I jumped back into the rhythm of my life in Canada.
Jesus tells us “You therefore must be perfect, as your heavenly Father is perfect.” But that doesn’t mean perfect nails. It means more than that. I don’t have the perfect physique, my gray hair lacks the perfect coiffure. I fail to be perfect in my relationships as I intentionally or unintentionally hurt those I love. Perfectly awful.
And the only perfect nails are those nails that pierced the hands and feet of my perfect Saviour.
Ultimately, I am only perfect in my Savior, Jesus Christ. He perfects me with saving grace as He forgives my sins and remembers them no more. And my perfection, which is Christ’s perfect love shall shine forth in my life as a beacon of hope to everyone around me. Perfect!
Jill Munoz, Vice President Christian Growth Committee
Serving in His Strength” is a blog
published by the Member Development Committee of
Lutheran Women’s Missionary League–Canada, Inc.
Lutheranwomen.ca
2026