I’ve been thinking about shoes a lot lately. My massage therapist had been hounding me about seeing a physical therapist who specializes in foot problems–and helping you become more balanced with solid support from your feet on up. So I finally made the appointment–and I now have confirmation. I’m officially unbalanced!

But it all makes sense to me. Without a solid, balanced base to work with, you can develop tons of other problems–sore knees and backaches for starters. You don’t move as efficiently. The P.T. told me my feet are so lacking in proper support, that it’s as if I’ve been walking in sand all my life. Now this isn’t totally new for me. I was diagnosed with flat feet when I was a kid. The podiatrist sentenced me to wearing those dreaded orthopedic shoes for what seemed like a lifetime. I wore saddle shoes when all my friends had those cute slip-ons. Plus, I’m convinced I was born with size 9’s. What’s up with all the shoe store samples   looking like they could fit a 10 year-old?

I think life is a bit like shoes. Especially in the area of relationships. When Randy and I were going through the worst times in our marriage, I would have gladly squeezed my size nine foot into a diminutive glass shoe if he could have been transformed into my Prince Charming–or better yet, I could have clicked my heels several times in Dorothy’s ruby red slippers, and been whisked away from the pain and struggle to a much happier place.

Maybe you can relate. You’ve been struggling along in life, exhausted by walking in sand, or slogging through thigh-high mud in hip-waders. You wonder how you will step through another day, not to mention a lifetime. If only those ruby slippers were an option…

And even though they’re not, I’m amazed when I look back and see how God helped me take off the shoes that hindered my progress. He gave me solid support so I could walk through some tough situations into a healthier place. One small step at a time.

So it’s back to orthopedic shoes for me. My physical therapist made inserts for my shoes to give me balance and support. (Though I have to admit my new shoes are much cuter than the saddles shoes of yesteryear). My knees and back feel better, and because I’m no longer “walking in sand,” I surprisingly have more energy. Happy feet are a good thing! 

I love the promise of Romans 5:3-5:  

There’s more to come: We continue to shout our praises even when we’re hemmed in with troubles, because we know how troubles can develop passionate patience in us, and how that patience in turn forges the tempered steel of virtue, keeping us alert for whatever God will do next. In alert expectancy such as this, we’re never left feeling shortchanged. Quite the contrary–we can’t round up enough containers to hold everything God generously pours into our lives through the Holy Spirit!  (The Message)

So I hope you’ll join me on the journey. Take off the hip-waders–and try on some new shoes. Slip your feet into something more comfortable and possibly more stylish, too. Get ready for some serious walking. Each step you take, even the smallest ones, will lead you to a new place, maybe one you’ve never visited before: A place called hope.