CROCS: What You Don't See

They’re cute on kids and practical at the beach or a water park. But an adult size 11 on the Brooklyn Bridge looks out of place at best – bizarre at its worst unless you know the rest of the story.

The nine-year-old girl wearing a size nine shoe back in the 50s experienced a lot of grief over her big feet. Not many choices in the small dry goods store where she shopped for shoes. One day she found a pair to try, and in response to dear old Mr. Childress’ question, “What size?” she shyly whispered, “size 9.” From then on, every time she entered the store, she, along with all the other customers, heard him say in a loud raspy whisper, “Size 9!” as he slapped his thigh and doubled over with laughter. It didn’t help that every other girl in town had tiny perfect feet. At least that’s how it seemed to her.

Those feet are long past their youth, suffering the effects of being stuffed into too tight shoes and bearing the weight of too many pounds. Only last year, did I come to accept and even love these feet of mine as some dear friends prayed for my feet to be healed. They touched them, even kissed them and declared, “blessed are the feet of those who bring good news.”

With that act of kindness, my heart was forever healed of its pain over how my feet look. That seems so shallow and prideful in view of what others suffer. But God truly does care about every detail of our life, and longs to love us out of our wrong thinking and the consequences we deserve. My feet hurt still, and it looks like surgery may be in my future. I love stylish shoes, but have resigned myself to size 11 shoes made wide enough to accommodate the bunion, inserts and all kinds of weird little pads.

Weeks before the New York trip, I found Sperry rubber boots and a nice pair of casual shoes. I outfitted them with appropriate padding and took practice runs at the mall and hiking through the pasture to break them in. With a fair weather forecast, I had no need for the rubber boots, so I wore the casual shoes with my custom made orthotics and comfy socks. I tucked in a pair of dressy ballet flats for evening events, and at the last moment, decided to pack my new brown Crocs.

In less than 24 hours, I was limping because of the pain in my left foot. Now is where I tell you that I was the honored guest on this trip - planned and made possible by my beautiful daughters - stylish daughters full of energy - eager to see the sights. Imagine how loved I felt when I heard “Mom, wear your Crocs, we don’t care.” They really did not care. My big wide Crocs with the prescription orthotics made a soft secure cushion for these old feet. I navigated the stairs on the subway and the hike across the Brooklyn Bridge with ease - my heart dancing with my young companions.

I’m not much of a photographer, but the picture of my Croc shod foot is a reminder of overwhelming love – HIS love coming through my daughters, Sarah and Emily. All the years of painful pride over my God given feet have vanished into acceptance and gratitude. I’m especially thankful for those savvy folks in Italy who invented Croslite, the waterproof bacteria resistant material perfect for day spa clogs. They later made their way to the USA as boat shoes then to my back door via Amazon.com.

Bordering on TMI, I’ll risk telling you that when Tim and I take dance lessons on Friday nights, unseen under flared pants, both of my knees are wrapped for extra support. Further evidence that things aren’t as they appear. The joy of looking into his eyes like the delight of being in my daughter’s company emphasizes this truth, “though outwardly we are wasting away, inwardly we are being renewed,” by something I call LOVE.

In these trying times, it’s important that we encourage one another to look beyond the obvious. No one does that better than our Lord through the words of Paul.

Therefore we do not lose heart. Though outwardly we are wasting away, yet inwardly we are being renewed day by day. For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all. So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen. For what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal. II Cor. 4:16-18.

Remember that life’s seemingly small challenges can be building in us a history of God’s perfect love – the love that casts out fear. The love that can carry us through illness, natural disasters, wars and rumors of wars – these times when everything than can be shaken is being shaken.

Peace Passed This Test

A big test came. This time, I felt myself reaching for Your hand. You were there filling me with encouragement and giving me wise words. I did not react as a child, but more like the woman you created me to be.

Thank you for Your powerful presence that turned what could have been a disastrous situation into one that is building upon a foundation of love and trust. A foundation that leaves room for hope.

Today, as I read the devotional from Sarah Young's JESUS CALLING, I knew that once again You were speaking personally to me.

“Every problem can teach you something, transforming you little by little into the masterpiece I created you to be. The very same problem can become a stumbling block over which you fall, if you react with distrust and defiance. The choice is up to you, and you will have to choose many times each day whether to trust Me or defy Me.” pp 68

The author goes on to say that we should befriend problems by giving thanks for them. She suggests giving nicknames to those that persist so that we can approach them from a position of power rather than dread.“The next step is to introduce them to Me, enabling Me to embrace them in my loving Presence. I will not necessarily remove your problems, but my wisdom is sufficient to bring good out of every one of them.”

What nickname would I give to that persistent problem? THIEF came to mind. Having the house to myself, I did not hesitate to thank God out loud for the problem. Then I addressed THIEF and invited him to meet my family: God, my Father - Jesus, my brother - Holy Wind, my counselor and comforter. It felt rather good to turn THIEF over to this trilogy of Perfect Love. I then felt free and full of His loving kindness. I spent some time singing and dancing - expressing my adoration through worship.

Though the circumstances have not changed, I am seeing them from God’s perspective, not from the gutter of self-pity or fear. Knowing God. Listening and talking - spirit to SPIRIT. This kind of intimacy with Perfect Love really does "cast out fear" putting a smile on my face and a twinkle in my eyes. Who could ask for anything more?

Peace Is A Choice

Peace Is A Choice

Just know that when I write something, it is from personal experience - something that has affected me deeply. Also know that after I write something, I am usually tested. I failed - back into the gutter - a slow slide in, not a leap this time. We don't usually look at a gutter full of disgusting thoughts, and say to ourselves, "That looks like fun, I think I will go for a swim!" At several points along the way, I could have taken hold of HIS hand. No. No. No. I refused the grace offered and by bedtime, there I was in the stench of gutter life completely surrounded by my selfish, poor me thoughts. I wonder if that's how Jonah felt when he prayed to the Lord from inside the belly of the great fish: "Those who cling to worthless idols forfeit the grace that could be theirs." (Jonah 2:8)

The good news is that repentance is a love word. I can choose to take hold of HIS hand, agree with HIM that I was wrong, ask for forgiveness and know that once again, the blood of Jesus has washed me clean. I can make amends with those whom I have wronged, and lovingly have the slate wiped clean again.

"How did you get there," you ask? By listening to the deceiver. In my last post, I asked the question, "what niggles at you?" More than one astute person questioned that word.

nig·gle (ngl)intr.v. nig·gled, nig·gling, nig·gles1. To be preoccupied with trifles or petty details. 2. To find fault constantly and trivially; carp. Webster’s gives a third definition - gnaw.

The enemy loves to gnaw at your tender, most vulnerable parts. He knows what buttons to push, and takes every opportune moment to whisper his subtle lies into your mind. Paul reminds us in his letter to the Corinthians to "take every thought captive." The deceiver starts his destruction in our mind. We are more apt to catch the blatant assaults - the lies that seem so obvious, but the little ones can creep in causing us to explode or shut down. Both have equally devastating effects upon their victims.

Watch out for the thoughts that niggle at your emotions. Take the cue from your lie based negative feelings. You can own them, find their roots in the lies you have believed, and then ask Jesus for HIS truth. He will never fail to set you free. Sounds simple because it is, but you must choose to once again, take hold of HIS hand. Take hold of TRUTH.