It was as if someone thumped my head with a hard shoehorn! Suddenly, it made sense why my feet hurt (I think pain can be like an ignored piece of your wardrobe?).
“Did you know you’re wearing the wrong shoe size?” asked the kind and knowledgeable saleswoman. If you know me, then you aren’t surprised I started giggling. She shared tidbits I’ve never been told (or I can’t remember?):
“You need enough room to account for swelling.” “Did you know our feet continue to grow as we age?” “Our feet and toes weren’t DESIGNED to fit into today’s shoes.”
We bragged about our favorite shoes! Oh, and the ones that love us back, like our Birks. They give our toes plenty of room to be exactly the way God designed our feet to be (my dear friend Kim inspired this thought, too). “Wouldn’t it be nice if I could “plug” in my height, weight, hair color (just kidding, tee hee), and a “one size fits all” shoe would appear? After an exhausting hour of trying different brands and styles I made a choice. So far, so good.
All sizes vary.
Do not conform to the pattern of this world but be transformed by the renewing of your mind.
Romans 12:2
My current views in classrooms offer a variety of sizes! Hearts, minds, emotions, attitudes, learning styles, bodies, and abilities come in “assorted” sizes.
It’s easy to see ourselves through others’ eyes. People will “size you up” quickly. Social media deals a good hand in that game–280 characters, a paragraph rant or rave, or a meme. Whether you’re squeezing into something that doesn’t fit or swallowed by something much bigger than what you need, I know a “one-size-fits-all” God that will make sure YOU fit just right! Ah, surrender. It’s not easy, but necessary and liberating!
There are times I try to squeeze myself into a worldly shape. Am I trying to “fit” into this world or am I keeping an eternal perspective?
God, without you, NOTHING fits right.
In the end, the size of our shoes, wallets, bank accounts, and homes won’t matter. Catastrophic evidence of this has been felt across our country. If a one-size-fits-all compassion, grace, and kindness would exist every day, perhaps we’d stop sizing one another up and just…love.
Lord, make me an instrument of thy peace. Where there is hatred, let me sow love.
Francis of Assisi
Last Saturday I began this piece. That afternoon a friend shared her husband’s passing. His death was unexpected. My heart hurts for her and the family. Even with faith, loss stings. Suffering ends for one and begins for those who stay behind. I cannot provide any words of comfort but, “I love you.” That evening two other friends and I spoke of survivor’s guilt. It seems selfish to share. It’s hard to separate circumstances from God’s purpose. I don’t want to tell someone (or even hear) “It’s God’s will.” Yes, I believe that God will never leave or forsake me. Why do I know that? I’ve experienced it. Can we extend a hand or a hug out of mercy? Compassion without cynicism. If our Western “workdays” were realistic, we’d spend more time tending to our families, gardens, and overall emotional, mental, and physical health. Struggles are real. Suffering unites us; just as happiness can. As my grandkids grow, family and friends age, and seasons shift, blessings are still bestowed. As I balance health, habits, and happenstance, I’ll keep an eternal perspective with an inspired intuitive initiative. There’s very little I can control, but I have a huge part in how I react. Will you join me in forging forward with faith (and how about Flannel?)?
You are loved. Keep the faith.💛
“America is the first culture in jeopardy of amusing itself to death”-John Piper (Don’t Waste Your Life)
***This season includes many memory-making opportunities. I’ll “see” you when the winds blow a bit cooler in a couple of weeks. If you have to choose between responding to me or making a memory, do what’s on your heart (for you’re already in mine). We get one “shot” at this life here–make it count.***
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Now faith is confidence in what we hope for and assurance about what we do not see.
Hebrews 11:1
