New Shoes

I love shoes. Ask anyone who knows me. Yep, I LOVE shoes! It’s not really my fault, my mother loved shoes too. After she passed away we found 62 pairs of 2″ open-toed heels in every color imaginable. She was never without them! Even when she entered the hospital for the final time she was wearing a cute red top, white slacks, and bright red 2″ open-toed heels. So you can see, my love of shoes runs in the family.

Since the beginning of the year I have ordered 4 pairs of new shoes. I can see them all from where I’m sitting but I have never worn them … however, I LOVE shoes. A change in my job situation, followed by a foot injury, superseded by a pandemic, and displaced by surgery have resulted in me becoming a fanatic wearer of flip flops or just tickling my toes in the carpet. Now, I am ready to wear those new shoes!

  • Pair 1: Cool looking black sneakers with a guitar motif are just perfect for a guitar player such as myself. I am totally convinced that I play better and can stand longer when I put these shoes on. I had to have them!
  • Pair 2: A lovely pair of cream colored sneakers with sheet music scores beautifully applied. These shoes are a “must have” for any piano player or singer. I just happen to have those skills so, obviously, I had to have them too!
  • Pair 3: Intimidating white tennis shoes with an impressive 3 stripe logo. I am fully persuaded that the mere design of these shoes will strike fear into the heart of my next tennis competitor. It’s been 20 years since I’ve played so I need to induce all the intimidation I can muster. Just in case a tennis game appears on my schedule I had to have those shoes!
  • Pair 4: Oh – My – Goodness … midnight blue Sperry Topsiders, complemented with a bright white top and tongue of the shoe, and supported by a sturdy brown leather sole. Does it get any snazzier than this? If anything can dress up my $17 Wrangler jeans this is it!

While I am fairly certain that each of these shoes will enhance my life in ways I can hardly imagine, there are shoes that are a critical part of an outfit I need to wear more often … The Armor of God. The past few months have revealed a world most of us have never seen nor understand. I want to be prepared. I want to honor God. I want to make a difference.

As God’s word states: Be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power. Put on all of God’s armor so that you will be able to stand firm against all strategies of the devil. For we are not fighting against flesh-and-blood enemies, but against evil rulers and authorities of the unseen world, against mighty powers in this dark world, and against evil spirits in the heavenly places. Therefore, put on every piece of God’s armor so you will be able to resist the enemy in the time of evil. Then after the battle you will still be standing firm. Stand your ground, putting on the belt of truth and the body armor of God’s righteousness. For shoes, put on the peace that comes from the Good News so that you will be fully prepared. In addition to all of these, hold up the shield of faith to stop the fiery arrows of the devil. Put on salvation as your helmet, and take the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God. (Ephesians 6:10-17 NLT)

Who’s with me? Let’s put on new shoes!