Shoe Lover
It all started with the Kenneth Cole’s. Her favorite. The brick suede lace up strappy sandals were the perfect foundation on which to build her outfit. She stood in front of her closet, carefully sifting through tops, skirts, dresses, slacks and jeans. Her closet wasn’t that big, but with some clever mixing and matching, she could put together some pretty diverse ensembles. She chose a white gauzy tunic with a blood red cami underneath and black skinny jeans. Carefully tying her Kenneth Cole splurge she surveyed herself in the mirror.
“Cute! I like it.”
It was her first date with a guy she knew from church, but over the past several months had taken more of an interest in. He obviously felt the same way since he had asked her out. They were going to have dinner downtown, then take a walk around the plaza.
She was a little worried.
She loved the shoes. But walking in them for long periods of time was not a good idea. She prayed their walk would be a short one.
“You look really nice tonight.”
She smiled. “Thanks.”
Dinner was wonderful. The evening was mild and clear. They were walking around the plaza and heading in the direction of the fountain. She was hoping they would stop and sit on the benches close by. As much as she loved their time and conversation, she needed a break. Her feet were killing her.
He noticed the slowness of her walk.
“Are you ok?”
“Um…do you mind if we sit for a bit?”
“Not at all. What’s wrong?” He led them over to one of the benches.
Oh the blessed relief as she sat and took the weight off of her feet! She tried to make fists with her toes the best she could with the shoes on. She reached down and gently rubbed her sore heels, but didn’t dare take the shoes off. If she took them off she would never be able to get them back on again.
“Is it your shoes?”
She nodded.
“I’m sorry, but I just have to ask because I don’t get it. What’s the deal with women and shoes anyway? Why do you like them so much? Why did you wear them if they hurt your feet?”
Three things flashed through her mind in the fraction of a second before she answered. First, she liked him. He was a good guy and she hoped this wasn’t their only date, so truth was important. Two, the longer she talked, the more her feet got a reprieve. And C, sometimes details deemed “classified” need to be shared for the sake of all mankind.
She looked at him and smiled.
“I’m going to give you a little inside information, ok? I know a lot of men wonder why women like shoes so much, so here it is. Ready? They’re pretty. There. Simple right? And because there are so many occasions in which to wear said pretty shoes, we need as many to fit each occasion with which to wear them. Is that so hard to understand?
So, I know we don’t walk as fast as you, or we might need to stop every 50 feet or so, or even need to sit down and get off our feet every 10 minutes, please don’t get upset.
Because it’s worth it.
We are willing to withstand a little pain in order to look good. And whatever you do…and this is important…don’t ever grumble at how many times we go to the spa for a pedicure!
Now you know why. Plus, nail polish is pretty too.
Now.
All that being said. You know what I’m going to do when I get home? I’m going to take these sweet babies off, slip on my old, comfy, soft house slippers, and breathe a heavy sigh of relief!”
They both burst out laughing. He nodded his understanding, then being the gentleman he was, offered her his arm as they rose from the bench and headed towards the parking lot.
“Put on then, as God’s chosen ones, holy and beloved, compassionate hearts, kindness, humility, meekness, and patience, bearing with one another and, if one has a complaint against another, forgive each other; as the Lord has forgiven you, so you also must forgive. And above all these put on love, which binds everything together in perfect harmony.”
Colossians 3:12-14
Sometimes I think that’s what we do with Christ…how we wear Christ.
Do you do that? Do you wear Him like a pair of shoes? Does it get painful for you at times? Are you only able to walk around for so long? Do you do it because it looks good? Do you do it for a little while, just to show Him off for a bit on Sundays, but when you get home, take Him off? Is it only on special occasions? Or maybe it’s not like a pair of shoes. Could it be just a cross around your neck…or that fish on your bumper?
My friends, you didn’t choose Him like a pair of shoes, or a necklace, or bumper sticker deciding when to wear Him and when not to. He is not a fashion statement.
He chose you.
HE. Chose. You.
So, act like a chosen one. Represent!
Immerse yourself in God’s Word, work it out in shared community, and respect the One who chose you to represent Him! Honor Him with your words and actions.
And when we all clothe ourselves in the likeness of Christ there is no pain, there is no shame, there is no pretense.
It’s like those old, comfy, soft house slippers. You can breathe a sigh of relief.
Because you’ve come home.
Dear Father. May I never wear you like a pair of shoes! I choose to clothe myself in the likeness of Christ, and the best way I can do that is to dive deep into Your Word. Show me “great and hidden things” Lord! Reveal Truths that I have never known before so that I may represent you well! Amen.
