Are you familiar with the expression : ‘Walking a mile in someone else’s shoes’? The phrase reminds us of the importance of being empathetic with others, and not judging them.
Most of us will never need to literally walk in someone else’s shoes, but here , in our seaside town, too many people wear second- hand shoes. There is lots of poverty here, as there is everywhere, of course. Many people are materially or spiritually poor.
My friend Pam operates a second-hand shoe store in the basement of our public building. In a pink notebook, Pam has neatly recorded over 3,000 pairs of donated shoes that she has given away.
Recently Pam has secured a sponsor who provides some new running shoes in large adult sizes.
Children, however, like new shoes too, and before school starts I take in new children’s shoes to Pam’s, with the price tags still attached in case someone wishes to exchange them.
Let us pray for those who foolishly buy ‘designer’ shoes for thousands of dollars, for those who wear hand-me-down shoes, and for those who have no shoes at all. And let us give thanks for our own shoes.
This is a great ministry Sally. I pray God continues to bless it, and that we would not frivolously spend when we can use the extra to help others. ❤️
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Ditto here!
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Thanks, Sally! Yes, I’m grateful for my pair of Timberlands and my sneakers. I need a good pair of sneaks to walk my five miles each day.
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Amen. TY.
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Such a practical way to show God’s way 🙂
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Hi Sally. Thank you for making us aware that we should not take the simple things in life for granted. Keep up the good work.
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Running shoes provide hope for so many. Here in the U.S., there is an organization called Back on My Feet that gives pairs of brand new running shoes to the homeless. With running, it increases your confidence and discipline. Many of the people in the program go on to find stable employment and stable housing. It is amazing how important something like a pair of shoes can be for those in poverty! Great post. Thanks for writing this.
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Thanks, Rachel for your reply. There is great poverty here in NL, and we know many people who stop by here to visit, especially near the end of the month when money is tight. Yes, as you say, shoes increase confidence, and I like to drop off new shoes to the shoe centre in children’s sizes. 🤗
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