Shoes from the Deep

I just came up for air. Putting away laundry in my long, narrow walk-in closet from 1975 was already hazardous to my health, but add to that an unruly, ginormous pile of shoes and you've got down-right treacherous conditions.

The humiliation came when I realized that 99% of these shoes were mine. Hubby has most of his stored systematically in another closet. So what was in this pile, you wonder? 7 pairs of sandals, 2 pairs of flip-flops, a few ballet flats, a few heels, tall black leather boots for the days I want to add a little sass to my ensemble, short black boots for those pants days, running shoes, work shoes, hiking boots, 3 pairs of slippers, and a few others to round out the lot. And that is just for the summer season.

Would you believe that I've spent the last few weeks shoe shopping?

My top reasons why I need and deserve new shoes:

• I just had a baby and my feet changed sizes
• My old brown sandals are too worn and need replacing
• The airlines will only allow me one bag, so I need versatile footwear for our vacation
• It's too hard to do ZUMBA moves in running shoes

I don't think the problem is buying or needing new shoes. I think my problem is in letting go of the old shoes. I should clear them out. Give them to a thrift store. Yet here they linger, cluttering my closet and obscuring the shoes that I really do like to wear.

Mark 10:21

Jesus told the rich young ruler "Go, sell everything you have and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven. Then come, follow me."


In two different ways today I have been struck by the word come. Yes, it means to "to approach or move toward a particular person or place," but in order for that to happen you must leave another place. When you come to Jesus, you leave something else behind.


What shall I leave behind as I seek Jesus? A cluttered life littered with metaphorical shoes. The hurried soul that clamors for more stuff. The razzle-frazzled mom that puts too much emphasis on doing rather than loving.

And what shall I receive as I approach the Lord? The promised treasure. His peace. His timing. Contentment. Perspective. A teachable spirit. The ability to say no.

Tomorrow I will probably wake up and go to a couple of garage sales. I love a good bargain! But, with God's grace, I will make wise decisions bases on my family's needs rather than my inborn need to acquire more and more stuff.

Let Me Introduce Myself

So, let me introduce myself. I'm Melody.

I've been thinking a lot about how I want to come across in this blog. I want to sound smart, funny, cute, successful, wise. You're going to read this and want to come back for more because I have so much relevant, real stuff to say. Right.

Truth? I just spent way too much time trying to pick the right font to type in and give my blog the "perfect" name. So be glad it's not me running the show here. I'm giving it over to God, and I think he's going to show us extraordinary things.


Maybe you're like me and you struggle with food issues. I've tried so many diets. I've read a ton of books. I know it in my head but my heart just won't follow. Have you ever felt like you were just destined to be big, fat and ugly? That was me. I was all but ready to throw in the towel and stop trying. Praise God that I've started working through the First Place Series. This Bible Study is like your mother...willing to call you out on things that other people won't touch with a ten-foot pole. So this week I'm looking at temptation. You know, the chocolate chip cookies that call your name in the middle of the night, or the slick of the slightly melted ice cream around the edge of the carton?

1 Corinthians 10:13

No temptation has seized you except what is common to man. And God is faithful; he will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear. But when you are tempted, he will also provide a way out so that you can stand up under it.

Break this down with me:

• Temptation is an everyday event for everybody.
  
• Temptation can always be defeated with God's help.
• God is faithfully there to help you, 24/7.

How has God shown up to help me?

He's put these verses in my head so when I'm headed for the pantry they pop up like Neon signs. "Here I am. I am faithful. You're being tempted right now, but with me you can win this thing."

You know what I've said the last few times this has happened? "Not right now, Lord. I really want that popcorn. Can't you come back and we'll deal with this later?"

Oh...that really reveals a rotten spirit, one I'm ashamed to be writing about! But it's where I am at right now. And the beauty of the Lord is knowing that he's going to be there tomorrow and help me try again. He's forgiven me and won't have me beat myself up for it. I wish I could say I know for certain that victory is right around the corner, but I can't. What I can say is that 30 years of weight struggles have turned into a way to get closer to my God.

Only He could spin such a burden into such a blessing.