While working as the director of a preschool, I would get kids out of the car for morning drop-off. Many times, even before saying hello, their first comment to me, as they beamed with excitement, would be “look at my new shoes” or they would just wiggle them in my face until I noticed. Above all other pieces of clothing, shoes were the biggest thing to show off. As a teacher, I then had to walk the balance of meeting their happiness without emphasizing that their self-worth was tied to something new and shiny.
This past month, we encountered a young man who was attending a self-help program at Lord of Life. He had hopes for a new start in life and was lamenting that he couldn’t afford a pair of work shoes that were critical to getting started at his new job. In addition, we had an unhoused person who came to LOL looking for assistance. The blue barrel overflowing with shoes gave hope to both. Digging through the shoes, we found a pair that could minimally be called work shoes that didn’t quite fit, but the young man was thrilled with the find. Unfortunately, even though our mound of shoes was huge, we were unable to find a pair that fit the other person. However, we were able to assist him in securing a place to sleep for a night and provided some additional monetary and food help.
The pile of shoes that we recently gathered as part of The Faith Alliance collection has been a reminder of how critical shoes can be both physically and metaphorically in acting justly, loving kindness, and walking humbly with God (Micah 6:8). They can provide dignity, protection, comfort, and even joy to youth and “God moments” to others in our community who feel the crushing stigma of poverty and hopelessness with insurmountable circumstances in their daily lives. A new pair of shoes and people who recognize their humanity can lead to confidence, hope, and a new lease on life.
This fall has been incredibly busy at LOL with us stretching ourselves to live generously and working together for the good of the community. I pray that the huge pile of shoes will stay in our memory as a reminder of the goodness we can do together with God’s help and guidance. Or that each time we look at our own shoes or our well-stocked closet, we can find empathy, kindness, and generous hearts for others who find themselves without the dignity, comfort, and peace that even one pair of shoes can bring.
Where is God leading you next to act justly, love kindness, and walk humbly with God? How can we support each other in being the heart and “sole” to uplift others up as the constant love of Jesus Christ lifts and sustains us daily?
Walking with you in God’s grace and peace,
Angie Seiller, Director of Faith Formation
P.S. We collected 182 pairs of shoes to add to the other 416 collected by the other churches in Faith Alliance for a total of 598 pairs! A generous donor also pledged $5/pair (up to $2500) for even more new shoe purchases!