Cold Feet

I attended Hillside Christian Fellowship tonight. My mind was preoccupied. I was thinking about my shoes. I only have a few shoes. Actually, most of my shoes are summer shoes. I have three flip-flops and two pairs of dress shoes. I don't own a pair of boots. My sneakers are really the only shoes with enough protection to keep my feet warm.

Unfortunately, my sneakers do not make a great fashion statement. Therefore, I decided to wear my comfortable dress shoes. As I walked through the snow and ice I considered buying a pair of boots. When I entered the apartment (where Hillside meets) I surveyed the room. How many of my friends could afford to buy boots? Was I the only one wearing inappropriate footwear? I was extremely preoccupied with my shoe dilemma. I told myself to be thankful for the shoes I do have, but my cold toes were distracting me.

Matt Spinks announced that we would be joining a Christian ministry on the IPFW campus. I drove to IPFW with no clue that Jesus was about to play a joke on me. We entered the building, and a man was preaching. He was telling us how important it is to bless the poor. The man gave an altar call. Not an ordinary altar call. This man wanted us to give our shoes to the poor. No kidding! People took off their shoes, and placed them on the altar. Considering my preoccupation with my shoes that night, I knew I couldn't leave my shoes on my feet. I laid my black dress shoes on the altar, and laughed to myself. I walked on the cold pavement, and felt the bottoms of my feet go numb. But, my heart was warm with laughter.