Choosing A Pair Of Shoes

When I was a little girl, getting new shoes was so exciting.
Those were the days of shoe stores and small benches with an incline on which to put your foot.
Those were the days of shoe salesmen who went to the back room to bring out the size you needed.
The mysterious back room, from which boxes of every shoe you could desire, came.

The shoe salesman removed your shoe and actually put the new shoe on your feet.
You had to wear socks or tights for sanitary reasons.
You could never try on shoes if you were barefoot.
To this day, I still hold onto those same rules.

I remember being told only to wear the shoes on the rug so there would be no marks on the sole.
In case the shoes needed to be returned, they had to be unworn.
In the case of school shoes, walking around a bit on the rug was essential.
It was a big deal when I could actually wear the shoes outside on the sidewalk.

I still love shoes, but the older I get, they have to be comfortable in order for me to buy them.
That is why going to a formal wedding, though exciting, was a challenge for footwear.
Even though a formal dress was required, and the shoes would be hidden, they had to feel good.
I found the dress much easier than I found the shoes.

I had returned three pairs, unworn of course, before ordering the ones I thought I would wear.
Having struggled with a knee issue recently, I had to consider that as well.
One of my daughter-in-loves asked to see a picture of the shoes I bought for my dress.
When I sent it to her, she asked if the heel was too high.

I am already tall and the heel would add 2 3/4 inches to my height.
I thought I would be fine, but walking around my bedroom, like the old days, proved me wrong.
I returned those shoes as well, unworn of course.
I was back to square one.

I found a pair of shoes online that were a brand that I wear often.
I took my chances and ordered them.
They arrived quickly.
I put them on and was so delighted that they were so comfortable and went well with my dress.

There is nothing worse than shoes that hurt your feet.
There is nothing worse than being at an event and feeling terribly uncomfortable.
When you are out, there is nothing you can do about painful shoes.
You are at the mercy of your footwear choices for the duration of the day.

We had to drive to the church but then all the guests were shuttled into the city.
We had to walk from the car, across a bridge that went over a road, to the church.
There was standing and dancing that required comfort.
I did not want to sacrifice comfort for style; thankfully I did not have to.

I thought of the Hans Christian Anderson story of The Princess And The Pea.
One little pea placed under a high tower of mattresses could be felt by a real princess.
One little pebble in a shoe is a nuisance that must be dealt with immediately.
One pair of uncomfortable shoes can wreck an evening.

What we put on our feet matters.
Where we walk in our shoes matters.
Every place we put our feet will inevitably be trodden by others who come after us.
What is on our feet matters greatly.

As it is written: “How beautiful are the feet of those who bring good news!” (Romans 10:15)

Shoes may make a fashion statement, but shoes are for much more.
Shoes are on our feet when we stand firm.
Shoes are on our feet when we visit the sick, or the shut in, or a mama with her new baby.
Shoes are on our feet when we run the race of this life.

Shoes are on the feet of those who bring Good News.
Much needed Good News.
The kind of shoe we wear is not as important as what we do when we wear them.
Beautiful shoes are so much more than fashion.

Go forth and bring Good News!

2 responses to “Choosing A Pair Of Shoes”

1. Love this Gina!

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   • So many memories…Sherie, I am glad you enjoyed this Whisper.
     Gina

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