No Shoes (re-post)

I just returned from visiting my family in Oklahoma and wanted to share an amazing experience I had while attending church service with my sister. The topic this Sunday morning was on Giving. NOT giving what you want but what is asked. NOT giving with expectations of something in return. NOT giving begrudgingly but with a kind heart. NOT giving to be exalted by our "sacrifice". ...click the green read more...

Towards the end of the service, the pastor announced that he wanted to conduct an experiment. Without any hesitation, he then asked that each one of us leave our shoes as we walked out the door! He wanted to donate them to a local charity. At first, I was bewildered. I immediately started collecting a multitude of excuses as to why this unexpected request wasn't feasible. After all, I had JUST purchased these sandals. They are my only white pair and what would I wear with my outfit the rest of the day? Surely not my green ones. They were the only other ones I brought with me on the trip and the colors would clash. What a fashion faux pas! People might think I was color blind or simply unable to coordinate! And what about the hot pavement I'd have to walk on to get to our car? Not to mention the other hazards (stickers, glass, sharp rocks) of going barefoot. My sister leaned over and whispered, "These are my most comfortable shoes, wish I'd worn another pair!"

I pondered giving the String-Ring I was wearing, or money, or anything in lieu of my new shoes. Then suddenly, a wave of realization swept my body and I smiled. That is the point! My shoes were not what I wanted to give, but what was being asked. A rush of love filled my heart as I, my sister, and the majority of the crowd slipped off our shoes and left them behind.I just returned from visiting my family in Oklahoma and wanted to share an amazing experience I had while attending church service with my sister. The topic this Sunday morning was on Giving. NOT giving what you want but what is asked. NOT giving with expectations of something in return. NOT giving begrudgingly but with a kind heart. NOT giving to be exalted by our "sacrifice". ...click the green read more...

Towards the end of the service, the pastor announced that he wanted to conduct an experiment. Without any hesitation, he then asked that each one of us leave our shoes as we walked out the door! He wanted to donate them to a local charity. At first, I was bewildered. I immediately started collecting a multitude of excuses as to why this unexpected request wasn't feasible. After all, I had JUST purchased these sandals. They are my only white pair and what would I wear with my outfit the rest of the day? Surely not my green ones. They were the only other ones I brought with me on the trip and the colors would clash. What a fashion faux pas! People might think I was color blind or simply unable to coordinate! And what about the hot pavement I'd have to walk on to get to our car? Not to mention the other hazards (stickers, glass, sharp rocks) of going barefoot. My sister leaned over and whispered, "These are my most comfortable shoes, wish I'd worn another pair!"

I pondered giving the String-Ring I was wearing, or money, or anything in lieu of my new shoes. Then suddenly, a wave of realization swept my body and I smiled. That is the point! My shoes were not what I wanted to give, but what was being asked. A rush of love filled my heart as I, my sister, and the majority of the crowd slipped off our shoes and left them behind.