Happy Feet

I’m wearing new shoes today…slippers actually. They’re the kind that beckon your tired weary feet right into the fuzzy lining and allow your feet to rest and breathe all at the same time.
Not sure how my feet can rest while I’m still running around the house doing this sorting of paper clutter, and that folding of laundry and then running up the stairs yet again because I left my notes upstairs ,which I need to write an email…but my feet and soul are at rest. (I’m breathing heavy just remembering this; you probably are too, just reading that long sentence).
As my feet rest in these cozy slippers I am thinking about how my whole body, heart, soul and mind rests completely in my God. He brings such comfort to this tired body, weary soul, rung-out heart and exhausted mind like nothing I have ever experienced. These feet could clearly not carry me through a marathon right now; but this soul can without a doubt run some spiritual marathons with God…I’m sure of it! I feel like I have run some already in this short life of mine. Most probably feel the same…we grow up so fast and before you know it we are in places and situations we never dreamed of…some good...some not so good.
I am aware that the rest my soul experiences and the newness that I am feeling is because I’ve actually found something new; or maybe I need to call it a gift from God. This gift’s name has been echoing in my mind all weekend, this nicely wrapped gift is called, “Confidence.” Not confidence in myself or my abilities or even my knowledge of anything…but confidence in who God says I am.
I used to not believe…believing involved hoping for something and I really thought there was not much to live or hope for, but what was visible in my small world.
Thank goodness for these comfy slippers! It’s also no coincidence that the person who gave them to me for Christmas was my mother-in-law…the woman who shaped the man who now calls me his bride. The woman who loved me before she even really knew me. The woman who modeled grace, forgiveness and love like I had never seen it modeled before. She, with others shared with me Jesus and the story of His sacrifice.
It’s been a journey, one I am still on, one I am growing and learning on, one I will continue on until I meet my best friend who died for me. I’m so glad I had great teachers in my life who encouraged me and helped me embrace a love for learning. I actually always thoroughly enjoyed school and studying and all that comes with learning. I’m still learning and just not getting grades for it every day and the more I have learned and studied God’s Word, the more I have grown to know how much I am loved! How much I do have a position in a royal family that grants me grace to do great works with great purpose. Not by my strength, but His…
You see growing up, I lacked confidence; I tried to hide it as a child, desiring to be different and fight what was going on inside my body, heart, soul and mind. In my weak moments it still seems to seep out of my pores; but that is where God likes to shine most; for where I am weak He is strong.
A child lacks confidence for various reasons and one of the greatest is that they lack a healthy relationship with their father. Oh, I hate to put the blame on someone else, I really do; and what a weight to carry for a man rearing his children to stand brave and confident in this world. I know it was not right; and not what God wanted for my life…yet, I can only point my finger up and say thank you…thank you Daddy! If ___________________, I would not be so hungry and so thirsty for my Father’s love and I may have never known this love and confidence which is ours through Christ. (2Cor3:4)
Aaaaah, it feels good to be wearing new slippers. The gift that made me feel so loved; the gift that reminds me with each step, as if I can hear God say, “I love you. Keep walking!” These are some happy feet!