of boots and Bibles
Let's be real. Okay?
Sunday mornings are rough for me. I'm ashamed to admit it, but I will. Sunday mornings are hard on me because of clothing/shoe dramas that come with trying to make a family of six presentable with very limited resources. Low financial support = extremely limited shopping = awkward wardrobes x four growing girls = one frustrated mother. Then you throw in a few others factors like: season changes, the fact that our wardrobes have sorta begun to be prepared for PNG climate, what the normal dress is for the church we are in this week, "did I wear that last time we were here?", teenage daughters, a very "particular" 6 year old... (Yeah... I have never been that good at math.) Ugh. Sunday mornings.
So this past week I kept my attitude pretty well in check. Pretty well. Until I caught myself comparing myself and my shoes and my children's shoes to others and their shoes. And it started out ok. Ya, know? I was admiring all the lovely fall boots in between walking from Sunday school and service. Then I felt a tinge of "I hope no one is peeking at these old things... or those on my daughters' feet." Nasty, huh? I feel ashamed... as I should.
So. The Lord convicted me. Obviously. As He should. And then I saw this:
Here I am wearing boots and feeling grumpy about which of my three pairs I have on while the reality is I have more than I need.
Kinda makes me think about all those begging for the Bible to be translated into their languages... Yes, begging. Maybe they are struggling to understand it from a second or third language they only understand pieces of... Sorta like this fella in the picture. Just getting by. Making do. Would we wear those shoes? What would others think of us?
Of course we wouldn't wear those. But we let others... You see we have the Bible, God's Word, His Love Letter. We know His Truth. We know Him, because we can read about Him and understand Him. In fact, we can read it in hundreds of different English versions. Yet, we sit idle while millions die every year without the Bible in their language. Without the ability to personally know God through His Word. We sit with closets full (of boots and Bibles). Filled to the brim with choice after choice after choice... while others have nothing. Or are just getting by.
"and with your feet fitted with the readiness that comes from the gospel of peace" Ephesians 6:15 NIV
Thank you, Jesus for the Word of God in my heart language, the ability that you have given me to help others, and my three pairs of boots! Please continue to break my heart for those that are still Bibleless. And use me for Your glory until all have heard. Amen.
Sunday mornings are rough for me. I'm ashamed to admit it, but I will. Sunday mornings are hard on me because of clothing/shoe dramas that come with trying to make a family of six presentable with very limited resources. Low financial support = extremely limited shopping = awkward wardrobes x four growing girls = one frustrated mother. Then you throw in a few others factors like: season changes, the fact that our wardrobes have sorta begun to be prepared for PNG climate, what the normal dress is for the church we are in this week, "did I wear that last time we were here?", teenage daughters, a very "particular" 6 year old... (Yeah... I have never been that good at math.) Ugh. Sunday mornings.
So this past week I kept my attitude pretty well in check. Pretty well. Until I caught myself comparing myself and my shoes and my children's shoes to others and their shoes. And it started out ok. Ya, know? I was admiring all the lovely fall boots in between walking from Sunday school and service. Then I felt a tinge of "I hope no one is peeking at these old things... or those on my daughters' feet." Nasty, huh? I feel ashamed... as I should.
So. The Lord convicted me. Obviously. As He should. And then I saw this:
Here I am wearing boots and feeling grumpy about which of my three pairs I have on while the reality is I have more than I need.
Kinda makes me think about all those begging for the Bible to be translated into their languages... Yes, begging. Maybe they are struggling to understand it from a second or third language they only understand pieces of... Sorta like this fella in the picture. Just getting by. Making do. Would we wear those shoes? What would others think of us?
Of course we wouldn't wear those. But we let others... You see we have the Bible, God's Word, His Love Letter. We know His Truth. We know Him, because we can read about Him and understand Him. In fact, we can read it in hundreds of different English versions. Yet, we sit idle while millions die every year without the Bible in their language. Without the ability to personally know God through His Word. We sit with closets full (of boots and Bibles). Filled to the brim with choice after choice after choice... while others have nothing. Or are just getting by.
"and with your feet fitted with the readiness that comes from the gospel of peace" Ephesians 6:15 NIV
Thank you, Jesus for the Word of God in my heart language, the ability that you have given me to help others, and my three pairs of boots! Please continue to break my heart for those that are still Bibleless. And use me for Your glory until all have heard. Amen.
Now those are a pair of shoes.:0) Well said, my friend.
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