It is very possible that besides a love of writing the only other thing I have in common with the famous and stylish Carrie Bradshaw of the controversial HBO series Sex and the City is her love of fashion…more specifically…SHOES!  Anyone who knows me knows I love them!  How many pairs do I own?  I am often asked that question.  To be honest…I don’t know…and I don’t want to!  I would be terribly embarrassed to find out.  Let’s just say it’s an exorbitant amount.  Nobody needs this many shoes…however I may justify them.

Last week my sweet husband sent me a little love note in the form of an email that included Song of Solomon Chapter 7 and began with

Of course I was flattered that he would humor me with that verse though it went on to list his affections of many other attributes he loves about me.  Many gifts I’ve received over the years are items adorned with shoes…ornaments, notecards, wine charms, even a cake server in the shape of a shoe…it’s adorable.  For my birthday I got an apron that said “Will Cook for Shoes”…no doubt I would!  Needless to say…it’s a common fact…shoes are my “thing” and many people, not just my husband, humor me in that regard.

Don’t get me wrong, I love clothes, too.  However, I’ve had the same LBD (little black dress) since high school that thankfully fits again after all 3 babies.  I am totally content with it’s classic styling thanks to the help of a continually updated shoe wardrobe…or “outfit makers” I call them.  I’d rather wear an old outfit to an event and get a new pair of shoes..and with the budget of a stay-at-home-mom that often happens in the clearance section.

I recently posted a picture on Facebook of my fabulous New Year’s Eve find with a combination of some in-store credit I had been hanging onto and  a great after-Christmas sale.  These sparkly wonders were the perfect pairing with a sequined dress I had hanging in the closet from Christmas.  I simply put “Happy Shoe Year ;)” as the caption to all of my friends.  Most people also know that being 5’1″ with a 6’4″ tall husband I can rock a high heel like nobody’s business so many of the comments were centered around the height of these beauties.  But one friend said “Your love of shoes is unfailing” and while I agreed, it got me thinking…

Everyone knows I love shoes….but shoes are material things.  Do I love them like I love my husband or my children or my family?  Certainly not.  Do I put them before the things that really “matter”…no.  But…when people think of me, do they think of shoes, or do they think of the things I really hold dear…like Jesus.  If I didn’t have him I’d have nothing.  No hope, no joy no love…nothing.  He’s my reason for everything!  The reason that makes things like shoes completely irrelevant in the grand scheme of my life.

Another gift I received in the shape of a shoe is a charm.  It’s a baby shoe with tiny pink crystals on it.  My mother-in-law gave it to me when we found out our first child was a girl…Emalynn Elizabeth.  That time in my life was so life-changing, as it is for any first-time mother-to-be.  But for those of you who know my story, God sent Emalynn to rescue me from many addictions that were taking me down a very dangerous path.  That charm represents to me the peace I have that I can trust God and His plan for my life, his astounding mercy and grace, and His miraculous gifts in my children all of which were sent by Him in His time.   What started as a cute “Congratulations, It’s a Girl” gift has turned into a symbolic representation the turning point in my life.  When God grabbed hold of me so tight I could no longer run away and though I didn’t deserve it said “I’ve been with you all along”.  When I decided to turn back and trust Him…with everything.  When God gave me the peace that passes understanding. 

As I was taking down Christmas cards yesterday I saw one from a friend that said “Merry CHRISTmas.  This Christmas be His hands and feet”.  In essence…be Christ to those around me.  Love my neighbor as myself.  Walk the way Christ walked…and love people the way He did….not the way I love shoes.  I’ve been challenged that when I put on my shoes everyday and and as I walk down the path toward heaven, to walk in obedience, loving those around me.  I’ve been challenged to use my shoes for Jesus and walk so that when people see me, they don’t think of what’s on my feet, they see Him!

 In your relationships with one another, have the same mindset as Christ Jesus:  Who, being in very nature God, did not consider equality with God something to be used to his own advantage; rather, he made himself nothing by taking the very nature of a servant, being made in human likeness.  And being found in appearance as a man, he humbled himself 
by becoming obedient to death— even death on a cross!  Therefore God exalted him to the highest place and gave him the name that is above every name,  that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow,  in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue acknowledge that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.

Philippians 2:5-11