No Shoes and No Feet

                                  

            As I walked across the church foyer, I began limping. When I looked behind me, a trail of black showed my route. What happened?

            While standing like a flamingo, I pulled off one shoe. A gaping hole replaced the heel. A large piece of black rubber on the pristine floor. In shock, I realized the mess that marred the foyer came from me.

            How would I be able to stand as a volunteer greeter for the special service with a broken shoe?

            I hobbled to the information desk and relayed my pathetic story. The lady called the church’s man of all trades. Soon he appeared and assessed my damaged shoe.

            “Glue won’t help,” he said.

            “Could you tape it?” I asked.

            “That’s what I was thinking,” he said.

           

            With one shoe on and walking on my bare toes to keep my body more upright, I nonchalantly waddled into the volunteers’ meeting room with my friend.

            We stood in line for our dinner and laughed to ourselves. When we sat down, I told other diners at our table about my shoe problem.

            Minutes later, my shoe repairer reappeared with my shoe. Black duct tape encircled the entire back of my shoe. I showed his handiwork to my friends and put it on.

            After eating, we received instructions and assignments for the night. When I stood to join my group, something didn’t feel right. I looked down. A pile of black surrounded my chair. The sole of the toe on the taped shoe dangled. With trepidation, I took off the second shoe and saw black powder fall from it.

            To prevent making more messes, I took off both shoes and started for the door to find my special repairman. Thankfully, he wasn’t far away. When I held the pair of shoes in front of him, he smiled.

            “I wondered if the other part would go too,” he said and took my shoes.

            In my group of volunteers, I tried to get an app for my phone to help with scanning tickets. Nothing worked but my mind was only halfway on the task while I stood in bare feet in the lobby.

            Another volunteer in a wheelchair offered me her sandals, but they were three sizes too small. We laughed as I waited.

            Time was getting close for our jobs to begin. While my shoes were missing, I pondered my options. I could hide and refuse to help out. Wear too short shoes. Go barefooted and risk embarrassment and having my toes squashed by the hundreds of people entering the doors.

            When my shoe man returned, I thanked him profusely for the unusual task. His kindness and servant’s heart touched me. Even with unique shoes, I would be able to serve too.

            Bits of upturned tape clung to my feet. But with a few adjustments, they worked.

            When I thought of our speaker for the night, I knew I would not be embarrassed to serve our community even if it was without shoes.

            Nick Vujicic, who was born without arms or legs, inspires millions with his story. He appeals to young and old as he shares the Good News of Jesus all over the world.

            How appropriate that my shoes disintegrated just before he was to speak. He has one tiny foot with two small toes which are used as fingers. That bare foot reminded me of mine. He has adapted to his condition and overcame depression. God uses him daily.

            Perhaps my story with the falling apart shoes will inspire others to accept what happens to us and go on. To not let inconveniences become monumental obstacles. God takes us through all sorts of situations and joins us there.

            At one time, the shoe problem would have stressed me so that I would have tried to find a store and buy new ones. Perhaps, I would have declined helping. However, I really didn’t care and thought the situation was funny. A perfect story.

            The last few years of my life have given me a new perspective on what is truly important. Patience comes from trials. I might just keep my shoes as a special reminder.

Therefore, having been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom also we have access by faith into this grace in which we stand, and rejoice in hope of the glory of God. And not only that, but we also glory in tribulations, knowing that tribulation produces perseverance, and perseverance character, and character hope. Now hope does not disappoint, because the love of God has been poured out in our hearts by the Holy Spirit who was given to us. (Romans 5: 1-5 NKJV)

Gracious Father, your love is poured out on us even in our trials. Continue to build perseverance, character and hope in us. Amen

Christmas at Easter?

We are confident that God is able to orchestrate everything to work toward something good and beautiful when we love Him and accept His invitation to live according to His plan. (Romans 8:28 The Voice)

            Pink, purple, white, and yellow blooms adorned my yard. After the dreariness of winter, their presence signaled the arrival of spring.

            As I washed layers of yellow pollen off plant leaves on my patio, a surprise greeted me. For two years, my Christmas cacti remained flowerless. But as I washed off pollen, pink blooms peered out all over both plants. Their timing baffled but thrilled me.

            Why had they not bloomed in December? Why did they both decide to burst forth at the same time? Why now?

            Just outside my patio door, Easter lilies, plump with expectation, were ready to pop open with white blossoms. All of the plants should be open my Easter. What a blessing to have Easter lilies and Christmas cacti flowering at the same time to celebrate Jesus’ birth and resurrection.

            The unusual occurrence reminded me that our lives don’t follow a predictable path either. We plan and think we know how things should turn out. Then we are shocked at the altered journey.

            Only God knows the path He has planned for us and how each situation will be used. As Christians, we know that God uses all things for our good when we call on Him.

            I almost got rid of my bloomless Christmas cacti but what a blessing I would have missed. Be patient and wait on God.

Heavenly Father, thank you for the surprises in our lives. Help us to be patient for what you have planned. Amen

A Broken Computer's Connection

Those who sow in tears will reap with songs of joy. He who goes out weeping, carrying seed to sow, will return with songs of joy, carrying sheaves with him. (Psalm 126: 5-6 NIV)

The huge box almost hit the ground with each step. If only I was taller, the heavy load would have been easier to carry across the parking lot. The trek into Barnes and Noble, down the concourse of  the mall and then to my destination seemed like an endless journey. When I stopped to rest, a man with a similar box noticed me.

“After I put this in my car, I will be back to help you,” he said. 

“Thank you so much,” I said remembering how Alan used to carry my computer to the Apple Store for me. 

After he left, a young woman who had been on her phone by the door, hurried to me. 

“I will help you with that. She pointed to the Apple logo on her shirt. I was taking a break and talking to my dad. I saw you and told him I needed to go help someone,” she said.

“Thank you.but I need to tell that man who was coming back to help.”

She yelled at him that she was helping and picked up my computer box. Taller and forty years younger, she easily lifted my burden. Through the bookstore and down the mall, I hustled to keep up with her. 

After she helped me check in for technical service, I told her my computer woes. My desktop died months earlier and my laptop stopped the previous day. With no working computer and both old in computer years, it was time for a new one. 

She helped me purchase a new desktop and suggested a backup device. I explained that as a writer, I needed to get to my writings and hoped they would be able to transfer my data. 

“What do you write?” she asked.

“Mostly devotionals. I wrote a book of them.”

“I write but I am not a writer,” she said.

“If you write, you are a writer. Thank you for carrying my computer. My husband used to do it for me but he passed away,” I said.

“I am so sorry. My fiance passed away three months ago.”

“I am sorry,” I said.

Her eyes revealed pain and sadness. We understood each other. In the middle of the bustling store we shared our grief. We hugged and talked. She showed me pictures. I felt her pain.

“When do you get off work? I want to give you something.”

“In an hour.”

“I’ll be back,” I said. 

My trip to the car was lighter and with purpose. I picked up one of my books and signed it for her. 

In the crowded store, I searched for her. She came to me.

“I wanted to give you one of my books about grief,” I said.

I told her about Griefshare at my church and invited her to also attend a service with her daughter. 

She told me people kept telling her she should get into a grief group. When she visited her pastor mom, she went to church but found it hard when she was working on Sundays. Our church has Saturday and Monday services. 

With each bit of advice I gave, she nodded and smiled. Several times, she said others had told her the same thing. 

We could have talked for hours but I didn’t want her to get in trouble since she was working. We hugged again.

“God brought us together,” I said.

“I know He did,” she replied. 

God showed up for both of us. Each part of our time was perfectly orchestrated. Her break. My trip across the parking lot. One thing after another. We could have easily missed the opportunities by not sharing our stories but thankfully, we didn’t. 

  Seeds have been planted, but only God knows if she will attend church and the class. I pray that our connection and time together offer encouragement and hope. 

Heavenly Father, thank you for all of the opportunities you make for us. Help us to notice and take time to connect. Amen

 

Daily Gifts

In awe, I stared and stared. From a barely visible tinge of pink, the sunrise exploded into a blaze of mauve, blue, and white as a backdrop for shadowy pines. The sky’s brilliant display painted its reflection on the tranquil lake. 

The dawn’s gift brought me joy and thankfulness. As I watched the silent show, I prayed. 

Even though I hoped for an extended performance, within minutes the masterpiece dimmed and disappeared. No traces remained except in my memories. My precious moment would never be exactly replicated. 

My eyes looked up again from my journal. A male turkey moved in on soundless feet. His feathers spread into an exquisite fan only a few feet from my patio. Within seconds, his finery closed into a mundane brown body. 

During my morning devotional time, I witnessed two of God’s astonishing creations. Though vastly different both were breathtaking and fleeting. 

As I age, I have learned to stop and notice gifts around me. I see them in the beauty of nature. Playing with a grandchild. Listening to a friend. Noticing the intricacies of a flower...

Each day offers endless gifts. However, many remain unopened. 

Dear Lord, open my eyes and heart to all the gifts around me. Amen.