SHOES

Have you ever thought about the different shoes you’ve worn in your life? I don't think about it often, but when I do, my mind automatically went back to my FAVORITE pair of shoes when I was a little girl. They came in a hand-me-down bag from my cousin, who had worn them as part of her ensemble for a family wedding. They were purple patent leather Mary Janes, and I thought they were beautiful! I was absolutely convinced that they went with everything I owned – shorts, orange plaid pants (think Partridge Family), swimsuits… it didn’t matter. It was a huge blessing that my dad was in graduate school and my mom was working full time when I was little. Dads don’t tend to pay attention to the details that we moms think are so crucial, and he let me wear those shoes everywhere. I felt empowered by my purple patent leather shoes. I was so upset when I outgrew them.

The next pair of shoes I distinctly remember were also, surprisingly, purple. They were the popular Nike shoes with the purple “swoosh” on the side, and I remember they were the must have shoes in 6th grade. They separated the “haves” from the “have nots.” They were almost as important as the Gloria Vanderbilt jeans and the rabbit fur jackets we all wore back then. I had a problem with these shoes, though – my mom wouldn’t buy them for me. She thought they were too expensive, and encouraged me to save my own money to buy them if I really thought I needed them. By the time I saved enough money, the sense of urgency I once had for these shoes had worn off. But, a seismic shift had taken place: I realized I was not going to be part of the “popular crowd,” and this was determined primarily by my wardrobe. I didn’t realize I wanted to be in that crowd until I wasn’t, and it stung. No one enjoys being excluded, and many times, the reasons for exclusion are as silly as not approving of their clothing.

The most important pair of shoes I owned in college were my running shoes. Image, fitting in, again, were priorities to me. Being 4’10” leaves no room to gain the dreaded “freshman fifteen.” Before I left for college, I bought a pair of running shoes. Nothing fancy – I was on a BUDGET- but they served their purpose. Some days after my last class, I would change into shorts, lace up those affordable shoes, and hit the track. I did not (and DO NOT NOW) enjoy exercising, but I learned to be disciplined about it. I even had myself convinced that my shoes might get lonely if I didn’t use them every day!!! And, they did their job. The freshman fifteen was avoided, and I made some friends at the track. It was a win-win situation.

How many of you had your shoes dyed to match the EXACT color of your wedding dresses? I did, too. They were satin 2 ½ inch pumps that I selected so our wedding photos wouldn’t make me look so short! I felt like such a beautiful bride in those shoes that I kept them around, and every once in a great while, I pull them out and try them back on. I may not be able to get my wedding dress buttoned, but those shoes still fit! And, they identified me as a new person – one half of a unit. Married. Those were very important shoes.

These days, I enjoy my flip flops. They aren’t the most attractive shoes, but I don’t care. I really just want something that is comfortable, quick to put on, and practical. They identify me as a mom in a hurry. When you have kids, there is just much less time to worry about where and how you fit in – and it is enough for me to just be the mom. There are some moms who still buy the expensive, trendy, “gotta have them” shoes, but not me.

I’m guessing Jesus never owned a closet full of pretty shoes. He wore practical, sturdy sandals. His feet were probably never perfectly pedicured. He was humble enough to wash the feet of others. People didn’t believe He was who He said He was, because He didn’t look the part. John the Baptist tried to tell the people who Jesus was.

"I baptize with[i] water," John replied, "but among you stands one you do not know. He is the one who comes after me, the thongs of whose sandals I am not worthy to untie."

Have you ever felt like you didn’t fit in? Has it been because of something as superficial as your shoes? How you dress? What you drive? Where you live? Be encouraged, my sisters! The Lord God Himself knows just exactly this kind of rejection!!! He stood in front of His own people, and they denied Him!!! They placed bets on His clothing (which I’m sure they never intended on wearing!). They humiliated Him by spitting in His face. They were the ULTIMATE “mean girls and guys.” And you know exactly what Jesus did? He made room for all of us in His house. So, bring your comfy shoes. Come barefoot. He doesn’t care – He just wants you to show up!!!

I think I’m glad I never owned those purple swoosh Nikes. Maybe because of that little experience, I learned that fitting in isn’t as important as growing up. That friends can be anyone – people you least expect- and in times of crisis, we don’t look down and say, “I just LOVE your shoes!!!”