The Passing of the Shoes

I don't have much time to write anymore, at least this kind of writing. My days are filled with writing curriculum, PowerPoint presentations, and preparing lectures, but I had to make time to write about this little topic.

Tonight I threw out a pair of shoes that had given all they had. The shoes were Rockport penny loafers that I bought in June 2003. A friend and I each bought a pair of shoes and had them shined right on the spot. They were my favorite shoes ever.

The shoes began wearing out last Spring, but I could just not part with them. Patti bought me two new pairs of loafers, but they sat in the closet. Sunday morning I spent part of the morning in the church parking lot while it was raining, My feet were soaked by the time worship began and I knew that these precious shoes had just walked their last mile.

Tonight I gingerly placed them in the garbage and brought out the two new pairs. I am one of those who believes in putting polish on new shoes. Now they are back in the closet, ready to wear tomorrow morning. I know that my feelings about those shoes will pass.

Those worn out shoes still looked good on the outside, but the soles, heels, and insides were deteriorating. I could have had them resoled and added new heels, but then I would have invested some dollars in a really old pair of shoes. Discarding the shoes was the right thing to do.

The old Rockports represented the past six years of my life. I know that sounds a little over the top, but they represented a transition from the early 2003 to late 2009. A lot has happened in the past 6-7 years. I think in many ways those shoes represent the passing of one period into another. Maybe you have something like that going in your life right now. You know exactly what I'm talking about.

Our Journey of a Lifetime involves throwing away old "shoes", putting on the new ones, going about our business even if they have to be broken in, and leaving that part of life behind us. Tomorrow morning I'll put on my new shoes and take the garbage out, which will include the old shoes and leave it at the curb. New life will begin! I just don't know what all is involved in that at this moment, but God knows and that is all that matters.