Shoes By The Door

Our back stairs are being used again for an interesting purpose.
When my children were young, they each had their own back stair.
It was not assigned to them.
It just sort of became their step because of age and height.

Each child had a step on which he/she put their shoes.
I never wanted the shoes on the inside mat, since it made opening the door a problem.
The back stairs was the perfect place to put their shoes when they came home.
Since they often went up and down the stairs that way, their shoes were right there.

One of my friends teased me back then because my sons’ shoes barely fit on the step.
The youngest child had the bottom step and their shoes went up the stairs accordingly.
The older ones could reach up about five or six steps.
The younger ones put their shoes on the bottom.

That same practice is happening now with my grandchildren.
My husband hung a shaker peg rack at the bottom of the back stairs.
Now their jackets and shoes can be kept in the same place.
Things have come full circle and I love every minute of it.

My daughter-in-love sent us all a picture that made me laugh.
The caption said: When you tell your three-year-old to put her shoes by the door.
There is an area right near the front door where their shoes are kept.
However, this little one put her boots literally on the threshold.

I thought of the Amelia Bedelia books that deal with following directions literally.
They are amusing read aloud books for young children.
My granddaughter did what her mommy asked.
She put her shoes by the door.

Her little boots were facing outside.
Were they anticipating something?
Were they preparing to go somewhere?
Were they keeping watch?

Oh, to get inside the mind of a child.
Oh, to follow directions that precisely.
No wonder Jesus said to become like little children.
Children are so trusting and try to please their parents.

My little granddaughter’s shoes were ready for the task at hand.

Give careful thought to the paths for your feet and be steadfast in all your ways.
(Proverbs 4:26)

I pray for all of my grandchildren.
I pray that they come to faith in the Lord Jesus early in their lives.
I pray that their feet will stay on the narrow road and always follow the Light of God’s Word.
I sang the little traditional song in my heart.

O be careful little eyes what you see
O be careful little eyes what you see
For the Father up above
Is looking down in love
So, be careful little eyes what you see