NEW SHOES

Out of desperation, my husband and I set out to find shoes to replace the worn out black flats. We found NOTHING in town. No one keeps "wide" in stock. They all said they would have to order them. Well I can order them, but I wanted to find a pair that I could try on to be relatively sure they would indeed fit. So we went to the next town and searched their mall.

I am not much for shopping...and after looking and finding nothing in WIDE, I was getting discouraged. THEN we went into the next store! and there were several pairs to choose from that were WIDE! I tried to do the happy dance, but I know that even though the shoes SEEM to fit in the store, they do not always fit when you put some miles on them. I tried on several as Ken went around the store bringing me pair after pair to try on. We finally decided to buy two pair...that way, one of them hopefully will be indeed comfortable under actual long wear.

So we were smiling on the way out of the store, packages in hand....mission accomplished!

NOW for the test of actual wear.

I must say, both have been very disappointing. Both hurt my feet alot at this time. They LOOK nice, but oh my feet are hurting.Every chance I get, I slip them off. I am hoping that in time, the shoes will conform to my feet. I do not want my feet to conform to the shoe or I will have serious problems with my feet. So the battle is on....who will win?

I have dedicated these shoes to God and to His service. He knows I needed them, and HE knows how I sought for them. He knows I tried them on and they seemed to fit. He knows we did our best....so I am leaving the rest up to HIM.

As my whole self continues daily to conform to HIM, and not this world. So I pray my feet will break in the shoe and not the shoe to break down my foot.My feet belong to my LORD, my shoes belong to the Lord....and I long to serve HIM with all that I am. My feet will lead me to many places where HE and I will share the gospel. So even though it may hurt for a while....I will continue to move my feet, one shoe in front of the other, as long as HE gives me breath.

Sermon in Shoes

There was a Sunday school song that rings in my head from time to time, it says: "Do you know O Christian, you're a sermon in Shoes? Do you know O Christian you're a sermon in shoes? Jesus counts upon you to spread the Gospel news, so walk it and talk it a Sermon in Shoes" Another says "Preach it and teach it". There may be plenty more, but you get the idea.

I am not a big shoe person, like some. I am content if I have one pair of tennis shoes, one black flat, one pair of heels, and one pair of sandals. WELL....my black flats (and I have no idea how very old they are) totally tell apart on Palm Sunday. My husband and I were setting up the chairs in the Clubhouse for the concert with ROCK THE SILENCE, when the bottom of my entire shoe loosened and detached from the top! Now, I don't view myself as a prideful person, but Ken and I were the hosts that evening so I had to change my shoes! I ended up putting on sandals with my dress . I felt alittle uncomfortable with that, but most likely NO ONE looked at my shoes. They came for a wonderful concert!

One thing I have kept for a future devotional is four pairs of my mom's shoes. My goal is never to "fill her shoes" but my goal is to have a zest for my LORD and HIS Word like she did and to share what HE has done in my life, every time an opportunity comes my way.

These black shoes have been MANY places, and I believe God has been honored every inch of their travel. They have served me well, and I am grateful for them. But more importantly I trust that my life has been an attractive Sermon in Shoes. I trust that when people are around me, they sense JESUS, not me. I trust that people will sense a sweet spirit, a joyful spirit and not a bitter, angry spirit.

Soon I will have to go shopping for new black flats that once again will take me many places that right now I don't have planned. BUT I know my LORD will guide my steps. I desire to GO where HE leads.

There is a hymn that says: All the way my savior leads me; What have I to ask beside? Can I doubt His tender mercy, who thru life has been my guide? Heavenly peace, divinest comfort, Here by faith in Him to dwell! For I KNOW whate're befall me, Jesus doeth all things well!

OR the precious song: Precious Lord take my hand, Lead me on, help me stand. I am tired, I am weak, I am wor. Thro the storms, thro the night, Lead me on to the light. Take my hand, precious Lord, lead me home!

I plan to wear my next pair of shoes out too.........for my LORD!