Thursday, June 13, 2013

Shoes: Who would have thought?

So many things happen in our lives over the years that we cannot possibly remember them all.  You would think we would remember the things that were traumatic.  We don't always remember those things.  As a parent, I can say that my kids remember things I do not.  When you are raising kids that is what you are doing.  You are busy with the discipline, the homework, the schooling, the taxi driving, the recitals, the games and somewhere in there a shower every now and then.  The things that happen on a day to day basis do not always imprint themselves on your brain so that you can recall them again.  Mostly you just lay down at night in exhaustion for 6 to 8 hours, just to get up and do it all again. 

Now my children are adults.  My daughter has four children of her own to see after.  She is busy and I am sure the description above is hers as it was mine.  But my daughter will bring up something from her childhood that I remember nothing about.  She did that a couple of weeks ago.  She said, "Remember the blue loafers with the tassels you made me wear?"  My mind was scrambling because I couldn't remember any blue shoes at all.  I am sure that I just bought them because she needed shoes and I got a good deal but to remember them...nope.

"No, I don't," I replied.

"They were terrible. I was so embarrassed to wear them.  I remember standing at the bus stop for school with them on. I didn't want anyone to see them. I didn't want to wear them but you made me" she said.

"Mmmmm, I just don't remember that."

"I even talked to your friend about them and she just told me they were classic."

"She was covering for me, I'm sure," I said.

She kept talking about those shoes and how much she hated them and how much she was embarrassed by them.  I began to feel bad for having scarred her with blue tasseled shoes.  I apologized saying that I didn't realize how badly they made her feel.

Wow!  Our memories are not perfect!  Neither are our intentions!  We make mistakes along the way as we parent.  Sometimes we never realize the many things our kids will remember of which we have no clue.  But blue shoes???  Who would have thought???

It is in times like that when I rejoice in my Heavenly Father.  He never forgets!  He always knows what is best for me!  He provides all I need!  He hears me!  He sees me!  He knows me!  He disciplines me for my good and His glory!  He is God and there is no other!  "And because you are sons, God has sent the Spirit of his Son into our hearts, crying, 'Abba! Father!" Galatians 4:6 

So what about the shoes my Heavenly Father has provided?  "and, as shoes for your feet, having put on the readiness given by the gospel of peace."  Ephesians 6:15  My feet are covered by the gospel of peace.  They are great shoes.  He always knows best!  The thing is these shoes are more than classic, they are eternal. 

I wonder if He has gospel of peace shoes in blue with tassels???