The Visited Shoes

(This post first appeared in October 2013. I came across it today and wanted to share it with you because I remember these shoes so vividly.)

They were absolutely gorgeous, these shoes sitting on the counter in the store. Their shiny, burgundy leather caught my eye from the very start. They were peep-toe high heels, and once I had tried them on, it was love. There was only one thing I didn't like about them... the price tag. They were more expensive than I was used to paying for shoes, and I couldn't bring myself to buy them. I left them on the shelf and walked out of the store.

For several weeks, I "visited" those shoes.  At least every couple of weeks, usually after payday, I would return to the store.  I might have said I was looking for something else, but I always knew I was looking for those shoes.  I never went to the shoe department first, though. I have always liked to save the best for last.  After I had finished the rest of my shopping, I would go to the shoe department and “visit” the shoes I loved.  Often, I would try them on yet again.  They still looked just as good as they had before, but unfortunately, the price tag remained prohibitive.

My husband urged me to buy them, but I just couldn't justify spending that much money on a pair of shoes, especially when I already have plenty of shoes.  Again, I left them on the shelf and walked out empty-handed.

Then one day, after receiving a bonus at work, I decided I was definitely going to buy those shoes.  This time, I went straight to the shoe department and headed to the shelf where "my" shoes lived.  Only they didn't have my size anymore.  I tried on the size above mine, but it was too big.  I tried on a size below mine, but it was too small. They had my size in the black version, and I tried them on, but they weren't nearly as beautiful as the burgundy ones.  Yet again, I left the store empty-handed, but this time, I was much more disappointed.

After that, I didn’t think about those shoes for months.  In fact, I hadn't visited that store much since the day they didn’t have my size in “my shoes”.  One day, however, we went there again.  I shopped around without finding anything that interested me, and then, as usual, I headed to the shoe department.  I looked around and then passed by the clearance table. 

 I was shocked to see four boxes of the gorgeous burgundy shoes piled up on the clearance table!  None of them were my size.  The largest size in the stack, the one sitting on top, would still be too small for me. I tried them on anyway, not expecting them to come close to fitting.  I was shocked when they fit perfectly!  There is no way that shoe box had the correct size on it, because I knew my foot had not shrunk in a few months.

Then I looked at the sign on the table. Initially, the items on the table were 50% off, but on this day, they were also an additional 25% off.  I walked out of the store carrying my gorgeous shoes after only paying a fraction of what I had expected to pay months before.

Many might argue that all of this is a coincidence, but their arguments would be in vain.  I don't believe that our Lord deals in coincidences.  I do believe that He knows and cares about the desires and hopes of His children, and He seeks to satisfy those desires as much as He can.  If we know how to "give good gifts" to our children, "how much more shall your Father which is heaven give good things to them that ask Him?" (Matthew 7:11.)

No, it wasn’t a coincidence that the shoes, which were obviously not the size on the box but the perfect size for me, were sitting on top of the stack on the sale table.  It was also no coincidence that they were sitting there on the very day we decided to return to that store for the first time in weeks.

Every time I looked down at my beautiful burgundy shoes, I was reminded of just how much my Heavenly Father loves me.   Retelling the story today, I am still reminded that no detail in our lives escapes His notice, His care, or His concern.

 

Psalms 145:16

"Thou openest thine hand, and satisfiest the desire of every living thing."

*Updated because I realized the first paragraph had been left out. fvd

 

Friday Photos

I have to confess, I did not take this picture, Glen did.

We were backpacking in Georgia and had stopped for a break at a small clearing.  As we took our backpacks off and were leaning them against a fallen log, Glen noticed this lone leaf on the log.

I have always loved the contrast of the greyed-out wood and the vibrant leaf.  

All Things Ellie Tuesday

 Today is a day we do something doesn't like and does like.  It is Ellie's "Spa Day."

On "Spa Day," Ellie gets her nails trimmed, her fur brushed out, a special brushing of her teeth and a massage. A small bowl of chicken nearby makes this all possible.  

I spread everything out on the table and have it ready before we begin, including the bowl of chopped chicken.  She gets a bite of chicken along the way to make the process easier.

I turn on some dog soothing music, and we begin.  First I brush out her fur, which she seems to almost enjoy.  Then I put her up in my lap at the table.  She has learned to prop her back feet on the sides of the table which I think makes her feel more secure.

With my tasks, I always like to do the least favorite thing first, and I use that protocol for Ellie, too.  So we start with the nail trimming.  She really tolerates this very well, considering how much she doesn't like it,  probably because we have done this since she was a tiny puppy. I use a nail grinder for this and I think it is the sound she doesn't like more than anything else.

After a few minutes, I give her a piece of chicken as a reward.  We continue in that manner until all nails on her front paws have been trimmed.  The nails on her back paws rarely need trimming. This part of our  "Spa Day" also includes a special cleaning and moisturizing of her feet and pads, which she definitely does not like.  Once her paws are done we move to her ears.  She actually likes this part.

Since beagles have long, hanging ears, it is easy for dirt to accumulate.  I use a baby wipe and clean deep in each ear.  She loves how I can reach - and scratch- parts of her ears she can't reach.

A new wipe is used to wipe down her face and her backside (in that order, of course.)

We finish with brushing her teeth and using a "mouthwash" for dogs that helps keep her teeth clean and healthy.

Then it is time for the massage.

I start with her neck, which she really likes.  The I massage her shoulder and she leans into me and really relaxes.  I go all the way down her front leg to her paw.  She doesn't like that as much as the shoulder, so I always finish with with a bit on the shoulder again.  Then I repeat on the other side.  

When we are done, she happily jumps down.  If there is any chicken left in the bowl, she gets the rest.

While she probably doesn't enjoy most of her "Spa Day," it is important those things be done.  That is one reason why I like to take some time rubbing her shoulders.  Plus, I love the way it feels when she really relaxes and her full weight is on me. I know she is trusting me and enjoying what I am doing.

It reminds me of our relationship with the Lord.  There are times He has to take us through some things we don't enjoy, even some things we really don't like.  But He does it for our ultimate good.  And I'm sure He especially loves it when He does something we like and we "lean into" Him, trusting Him fully.

The "What If" Road or the "He is" Road?

So many times in my life, I have looked out into the future (my first mistake) and wondered, "What if...?"

That is not necessarily a bad thing to do in general.  As a person with a planning-oriented personality, this thought process is particularly helpful.  I love it when my husband asks me if I have this or that, and I am not only sure I have the requested item, but I can also readily produce it.  But when "what if..." is accompanied by fear, then it is a very dangerous thing.

Without the Lord's intervention in our lives, none of us would enter into a fearful "what if..." without falling into despair.  There are too many things in our lives that can lead us to that road.

But, thank the Lord, if we have put our faith and trust in Jesus Christ, we are not without Him in any situation, at any time.  It is His promise He will be all we need - let me repeat that - He will be ALL we need, in every moment of our lives, if we trust Him to be so.  He has promised to provide for us, to comfort us, to sustain us, to strengthen us, and if necessary, to walk with us through the "valley of the shadow" of death.

Our first AT white blaze

Sometimes, when we have been backpacking, we have come to a spot where two trails cross each other.  Thankfully, on the Appalachian Trail, where most of our backpacking has occurred, the signs are clear which road to take.  If they were not, consulting a map can help us make the correct choice. 

In life, some moments put us at emotional and spiritual crossroads as well.  We have a choice.  We can follow the "What if" trail and find it to be a rugged, dark, steep, and rocky path.  Or we can choose the "He is" trail.  While still a difficult trail, the steepness is softened by His presence.  The rocks are cushioned with His love, the darkness is brightened by His Light, and the ruggedness is made easier by the softness of His heart.

Glen hiking up a mountain in Virginia

Just as in backpacking, when we find ourselves in those crossroad situations, we must consult our "map".  We must seek to know what the Scriptures say not so much about our trial, but about our "trail guide", who is with us always.  We must follow His leading and trust He will be all we need Him to be every step of the way.

"Fear thou not; for I am with thee: be not dismayed; for I am thy God: I will strengthen thee; yea, I will help thee; yea, I will uphold thee with the right hand of My righteousness."  

Isaiah 41:10

Friday Photos

 

This picture was taken as Glen and I were walking downtown.  This little spot is nestled between two buildings and I was struck by its winsomeness.  It looked so welcoming and inviting I had to capture the image.

Don't Pack Your Fears

For several years, Glen and I enjoyed backpacking along the Appalachian Trail.  We have done hikes in Georgia, Tennessee, North Carolina, and Virginia.

If you aren't familiar with backpacking, this is when you hike for several days, or in some cases months, and carry everything you need on your back.  Our packs usually weighed about 25 -27 pounds fully loaded. Because you are carrying everything you need, and all those grams add up, it is important not to carry things you really don't need.  One of the temptations is to follow the "What if...?" line of thinking.

"What if I fall and cut myself badly?  I will need ...(insert whatever first aid supplies you think you may need).

"What if I lose my lighter?  I'd better take matches, too!"

"What if it gets really cold?  I'd better pack more clothes!"

This list could go on and on.

But if you pack for all your fears, you probably won't hike very long because your pack will just be too heavy.

In life, we also tend to "pack our fears".  We do things or think in certain ways that show we are looking more at our fears than the One Who has conquered all fear.  It is so easy to look out into the deep, dark future and suppose there are all sorts of pitfalls and dangers awaiting us.  And sometimes there are.  But more importantly, if we are believers in the Lord Jesus, there is a kind and merciful God waiting to be everything we need in those times.  He wants us to trust in Him, rather than wallow in our fears.  The "what if..." question should always be answered with "God will be enough."  Period.  No matter what, as we trust Him, He will prove Himself faithful over and over and over again. No matter what.

Let us settle our fears by remembering these verses,

"Now unto Him that is able to do exceeding abundantly above 

all that we ask or think, according to the power that worketh in us, 

unto Him be glory in the church by Christ Jesus throughout all ages, 

world without end. 

Amen."

Ephesians 3:30,21

Tuesday -- All Things Ellie

Ellie has some new friends.  

It amazes me how often she encounters different animals, but I didn't expect her to be meeting a couple of these animals.

We were walking around the local schoolyard, as we do several times a week. During this activity, I keep an eye ahead of me for things that might be a hazard to her. On this particular afternoon, I let my mind wander but was brought back to the moment very quickly. I took my next step only to see a snake between my legs! I did a pretty impressive vertical jump, along with a surprisingly loud scream. Ellie noticed the snake but did not seem to be as concerned about it as I was. For the snake's part, he quickly slithered away, and we haven't seen him, or any of his relations, again.

After that, I watched much more closely, especially in the areas closer to the neighboring creek. That may be why I noticed the family of four foraging in the brush by the fence. Actually, I heard them before I saw them, four armadillos.  

I was pretty surprised by the sight. The armadillos were on "our" side of the fence and busy looking through the weeds and grasses that were growing there. As soon as Ellie saw them, she wanted to investigate. I knew these animals were not ones I wanted her near, any more than the snake. While I didn't think they would be aggressive to her, I knew they could carry diseases, so I tried to pull her in the other direction.

Now, Ellie has a lot of muscle and is a strong dog for her size. It took a lot of pulling for me to get her away from the lure of a new animal. I managed to get her about six feet away when one of the armadillos really surprised me. It started following us! It was as curious about Ellie as she was about it! I pulled Ellie with even more determination and was finally able to get her on the other side of the schoolyard.

We saw this group again, foraging a little further down the fence on two subsequent days. However, I was looking and listening for them this time and was more easily able to keep Ellie away from them.

The last new animal for Ellie was a raccoon. Even though she never saw it, she clearly could smell it. We were walking along a row of azalea bushes, and one was quite full. I heard some rustling inside the bush. Ellie was sniffing the air, trying to locate the owner of the scent, when the raccoon turned in the opposite direction and scurried away. I thought at first it was a cat, but I was surprised to see it was a raccoon. 

Ellie also saw some animals she had seen before, but not in small sizes.  

Percival

One day, while we were looking for Percival and the new turtle on our property, Parnell, Ellie was going crazy by one of the bushes. At first, I couldn't see anything, but then I noticed right in front of her nose was a tiny turtle. It was a little bigger than a half-dollar.  I carefully picked it up and placed it in some leaves under the bushes where it would be safe from humans who might not even see it before stepping on it.

The Baby Turtle

Another tiny version of a familiar animal was the kittens. We have many feral cats in our neighborhood, and one of them must have had a litter of kittens under our neighbor's deck. Old enough now to wander around without their mother, one had made it under our fence while another stayed in safety on the other side as Ellie and I walked nearby. Ellie wanted to get closer to the kitten, but I wouldn't let her. I don't know if she was just curious or if she had that natural "It's a cat!" response that she has when seeing cats pass through our yard. Either way, it didn't matter; the kitten perceived danger and hurried under the fence to the safety under the deck.

I am always curious as to how Ellie will respond to other animals. And, of course, I also wonder if they will make it into one of Ellie's books one day.

Evidences Are All Around Us

 Yesterday, after our chapel meeting at a local nursing home, one of the residents told us of a story which happened when he was in a very difficult time.  He states that what occurred in the story was what proved to him that God was real.

I can't relate his story, because it is his story, not mine.  I can, however, tell you something that happened to me this week which was, in a small way, another of thousands of evidences in my life that God is indeed real.  Not only is He real, but He is active and involved in the lives of His people.  He is involved in my life.

My Bible with it's bookmarks

My habit for reading the Bible is to read three chapters each day.  On odd days I read one group and on even days the other.  The order of these reading take me through the sections of the Bible in sequence.

On this particular day, my readings were in Ezekiel, Luke and Revelation.  As I was finishing the chapter in Ezekiel, I came to this verse:

"And I sought for a man among them, that should make up the hedge, and stand in the gap before me for the land, that I should not destroy it: but I found none," Ezekiel 22: 30.

Reading this verse, I knew that ultimately, the Lord Jesus Christ was the man to "stand in the gap" for all of us.  Then I turned to the next bookmark in my Bible.  The chapter was Luke 23, the narration of the crucifixion of Jesus:

"And it was about the sixth hour, and there was a darkness over all the earth until the ninth hour.  And the sun was darkened, and the veil of the temple was rent in the midst. And when Jesus had cried with a loud voice, He said, 'Father, into Thy hands I commend My spirit': and having said thus, He gave up the ghost."

Here was the clear description of the God-made-man, the Lord Jesus, "standing in the gap" between heaven and earth, for our sins.

The last bookmark took me to Revelation 19, the chapter where Jesus returns as "Lord of Lords" and "King of Kings"; returning to mankind as a conquering Savior.

"And I saw heaven opened, and behold a white horse; and He that sat upon him was called Faithful and True, and in righteousness He doth judge and make war.  His eyes were as a flame of fire, and on His head were many crowns; and He had a name written, that no man knew, but He Himself. . . And He hath on His vesture and on His thigh a name written, KING OF KINGS AND LORD OF LORDS." Revelation 19: 12; 16.

These three passages so simply encompass the truth of the whole Bible.  Mankind needs a savior, but there is no man qualified to "stand in the gap".  Jesus became a man, lived a perfect life and died a sacrificial death to stand in that gap.  He returns to be the perfect King over His kingdom.  

For me, this small thing was a wonder and I believe a way the Lord was reminding me just how involved He is in my daily life.

"Call unto Me and I will answer thee, 

and shew thee great and mighty things, 

which thou knowest not."  

Jeremiah 33:3

Why No Posts?

A couple days ago a dear friend, who is also a faithful reader of this blog, commented that I hadn't written anything in a couple of weeks.

That is true. Actually, I have been busy writing, just not here.

I am in the middle of my fourth children's book, in the Ellie & Percival series.  This one is entitled, "Everyone Loves Ellie."  I hope to have it available on Amazon by the end of August.

While the story of the book is complete (except for multiple edits,) I am now working on the more tedious and time consuming portion...the illustrations.  I think most of the hardest ones are finished, but still, there is a lot of smaller illustrations to add before the book is ready for publishing.

This book, like the previous three, is about a real-life event.  When Ellie was a puppy she had a reaction to one of her vaccinations and had to go to the Animal Hospital.  It was a difficult time for us all, but they made her well and she came back to us quickly.  In this story, Ellie learns how important she is to all her friends be they turtles, cats or birds, and how very much she is loved by all.  

If you aren't familiar with the Ellie & Percival Series, the other three books are currently available on Amazon.  You can see what each of the books are about on the Books page here.

When I am working on a book, whether for children or adults, my mind is fully absorbed with that process.  I will be somewhere else, doing something else, and thoughts will pop into my mind.  For my brain, it is somewhat exclusionary for anything other writing.   However, I will try to do better.

Thanks for the prompting, Wayne!