According to our orientation document, removing shoes before coming inside a home is essential so as to prevent the deterioration of carpets and floors given the snowy and salty conditions. I’ve never seen such a huge pile of shoes in my life. 165 people stayed here last night which means 165 pairs of shoes littered the entry way and spilled into the “sanctuary” (which was about the size of an average living room).Each of these pairs of shoes represents the life of someone committed to Jesus and the journey their lives have taken to get them here. Some of these journeys are long and some are quite short, but they’re all important and each intertwines through this mission experience.
A story of breast cancer survival belongs to one pair of shoes. A story of surviving a daughter’s molestation belongs to another pair of shoes. A story of a husband who shot himself to death belongs to another pair of shoes. I know my shoes tell a story too.
How interesting would it be to know the hurts and joys that belong to each pair of shoes. Every time I come in the door I say a little prayer over the life of the person who belongs to the shoes nearest where I lay mine.
Love it! People's shoes do tell a story, but not all of it, of course. We have to go deeper and get personal to hear more, which it appears you're doing. Love you and hearing about your first mission trip!
ReplyDeleteI had to smile about this one......another shoe picture with so much meaning.
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