BROKE-DOWN,
LEANING-OVER
SHOES
By: Melva Brown
Photo Credit: Nancy Devon Coward, NDC Photography
Stylist: Tracie M. Gamble
In one season my daughter destroyed five
pairs of brand new shoes. Each time I
noticed another pair of ruined shoes, I
sternly talked to her about taking care of
her blessings, bought her a new pair of
shoes, and threatened her not to waste my
money again with her unnecessary
roughness and lack of concern about her
belongings. (My little girl is a live-life to the
fullest person. So, if that means
accidentally ruining shoes I bought for her,
then, “Oops!”)
As my beautifully dressed daughter with her
“doctored” shoes entered the living room, I said to her
date, “Here is your undeserving princess.”
Instantly, I was disciplined by the Holy Spirit with a
reminder of my sin, which was (and is) abundant.
Fast forward… it is the day of the FatherDaughter Dance. I pulled out the shoes she
had only worn once. I could not believe
what I saw! The bow on one of the shoes
was hanging off like it was going to jump
rope. Highly irritated, I succeeded in
repositioning the bow just enough to get by
for the night.
What if God withheld blessings meant for us because
of our carelessness? We would be wearing brokedown, leaning-over shoes…But despite my faults, God
continues to let me go to the dance. That’s undeserved
mercy! I should give it, mercy that is, as it is given so
freely and lovingly to me.
Before I knew it, I looked at her and said, “We are all
undeserving of God’s mercy. Yet, he grants it to us!
Go to the dance and have a ball!”
She gave a grateful smile, and left my
presence…happy!
May you see God’s grace and mercy everyday in your
own life.
FAITH HEART MAGAZINE I 21