Fast-forward to December 2021
Think anyone will notice that my shoes are two different sizes? #AFOLife
A company called Orthofeet makes Biofit shoes for AFO's. They are very adjustable so that you can fit them to any brace as well as your non-braced foot. They are wonderful as you basically build-a-shoe when they come. After three years of fighting and fighting, I have been regaining some strength and able to move more. This is a huge praise but brought to light that my shoes needed an upgrade. The new shoes that fit didn't come in pink and aren't quite customizable enough for the right foot. When I see the two colors, I am reminded of God's provision and how far He has brought me.
And so, I will be setting a new trend. I mean my mask trend caught on. Maybe this will, too!
ORIGINAL POST From November 13, 2016
Shoes.
They seem to be the most basic of necessities, but how often do we take them for granted?
Shoes - reminders of God's provision.
God used shoes recently to remind me of His promise of provision for His children.
Shoes - changing needs.
Due to positive changes in my condition, I was able to "graduate" to the next level of brace. My current shoes were rendered useless due to the shape of the new brace. If you know me at all, you know that Gertrude (my left leg who has a mind of her own due to my stroke) makes shoe shopping my least favorite shopping excursion. I am always grateful to have one pair of shoes that actually fit and work and don't completely break the bank. Two stores later, I was still empty-handed and praying for provision.
Psalm 46:10 English Standard Version (ESV)
10 “Be still, and know that I am God. I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth!”
It is interesting what memories simple everyday objects bring back. Memories flooded back as I worried about and prayed for shoes.
Shoes - providentially mismatched.
In the early years after the stroke, Dad and I would pray for shoes in two different sizes (left smaller than right) before going shoe shopping. God did not disappoint as time after time God provided a "pair" of shoes hooked together in my two sizes of shoes. Granted, at the time, I was not always impressed with the "granny shoe style," but God had provided for my needs.
Shoes - a family need.
During my fifth grade year, dad was in between churches and we lived on faith alone. Someway, a box of our shoes was lost in the move to live with my Grandma while Dad candidated at churches. God provided again as someone purchased our entire family a pair of shoes. This was no small gift as there are seven of us. God provided.
Shoes - err... braces.
When I was 11, Dad injured his leg and had to wear an AFO (ankle foot orthosis, or in English, an ankle/leg brace to help drop-foot). To date, I had not worn one and walked very poorly. On a whim, he tried his too big brace on my leg and asked me to walk across the floor. For the first time, I walked without tripping over Gertrude. Dad cried. We were able to get a brace for me and I no longer needed two different sized shoes. God had provided again!
Shoes - with wheels.
My next shoe memory is a that of rollerskates, specifically, my brother's large rollerskates. We only had money for one pair and I really wanted to rollerskate. Dad and Mom had finally given me permission to rollerskate and I couldn't wait to try. Socks stuffed in the toe of the rollerskates were just the ticket to make them work. They did work well until Gertrude didn't. Before I knew it, I was in a hospital bed with a crushed "good" leg. God provided for the many needs (including shoes) that arose throughout that ordeal and taught me much.
Shoes - a necessary evil.
Back to present day after our completely unsuccessful shoe shopping trip for these necessary "evils," my mom and youngest brother both mentioned Dad's shoes. Granted, they are size 10 and I wear size 7, but this new brace is a bit bulky. My brother was going that day and brought back some of Dad's shoes. They fit the brace. I may have done a happy dance; ahem, well my version of a happy dance. (Of course, we had to get a bit creative with the other foot, but at least Gertrude is happy! And if Gertrude is happy, I'm happy. ;) ) God had provided not one pair of shoes, but in the end five pair of shoes and a pair of boots from Dad's supply. I have never had so many pair of shoes that fit at one time. And... within moments of putting the correct size shoes on the new brace, my walk was stable, steady, and straight. Praise the Savior!
They seem to be the most basic of necessities, but how often do we take them for granted?
Shoes - reminders of God's provision.
God used shoes recently to remind me of His promise of provision for His children.
Philippians 4:19 English Standard Version (ESV)
19 And my God will supply every need of yours according to his riches in glory in Christ Jesus.
Shoes - changing needs.
Due to positive changes in my condition, I was able to "graduate" to the next level of brace. My current shoes were rendered useless due to the shape of the new brace. If you know me at all, you know that Gertrude (my left leg who has a mind of her own due to my stroke) makes shoe shopping my least favorite shopping excursion. I am always grateful to have one pair of shoes that actually fit and work and don't completely break the bank. Two stores later, I was still empty-handed and praying for provision.
Psalm 46:10 English Standard Version (ESV)
10 “Be still, and know that I am God. I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth!”
It is interesting what memories simple everyday objects bring back. Memories flooded back as I worried about and prayed for shoes.
Shoes - providentially mismatched.
In the early years after the stroke, Dad and I would pray for shoes in two different sizes (left smaller than right) before going shoe shopping. God did not disappoint as time after time God provided a "pair" of shoes hooked together in my two sizes of shoes. Granted, at the time, I was not always impressed with the "granny shoe style," but God had provided for my needs.
Shoes - a family need.
During my fifth grade year, dad was in between churches and we lived on faith alone. Someway, a box of our shoes was lost in the move to live with my Grandma while Dad candidated at churches. God provided again as someone purchased our entire family a pair of shoes. This was no small gift as there are seven of us. God provided.
Shoes - err... braces.
When I was 11, Dad injured his leg and had to wear an AFO (ankle foot orthosis, or in English, an ankle/leg brace to help drop-foot). To date, I had not worn one and walked very poorly. On a whim, he tried his too big brace on my leg and asked me to walk across the floor. For the first time, I walked without tripping over Gertrude. Dad cried. We were able to get a brace for me and I no longer needed two different sized shoes. God had provided again!
Shoes - with wheels.
My next shoe memory is a that of rollerskates, specifically, my brother's large rollerskates. We only had money for one pair and I really wanted to rollerskate. Dad and Mom had finally given me permission to rollerskate and I couldn't wait to try. Socks stuffed in the toe of the rollerskates were just the ticket to make them work. They did work well until Gertrude didn't. Before I knew it, I was in a hospital bed with a crushed "good" leg. God provided for the many needs (including shoes) that arose throughout that ordeal and taught me much.
Shoes - a necessary evil.
Back to present day after our completely unsuccessful shoe shopping trip for these necessary "evils," my mom and youngest brother both mentioned Dad's shoes. Granted, they are size 10 and I wear size 7, but this new brace is a bit bulky. My brother was going that day and brought back some of Dad's shoes. They fit the brace. I may have done a happy dance; ahem, well my version of a happy dance. (Of course, we had to get a bit creative with the other foot, but at least Gertrude is happy! And if Gertrude is happy, I'm happy. ;) ) God had provided not one pair of shoes, but in the end five pair of shoes and a pair of boots from Dad's supply. I have never had so many pair of shoes that fit at one time. And... within moments of putting the correct size shoes on the new brace, my walk was stable, steady, and straight. Praise the Savior!
Shoes - ordinary miracles.
Through this ordinary need, God showed me His extra-ordinary love. I was reminded of His promise in Matthew 6.
Matthew 6:25-34 English Standard Version (ESV)Do Not Be Anxious
25 “Therefore I tell you, do not be anxious about your life, what you will eat or what you will drink, nor about your body, what you will put on. Is not life more than food, and the body more than clothing? 26 Look at the birds of the air: they neither sow nor reap nor gather into barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not of more value than they?27 And which of you by being anxious can add a single hour to his span of life?[a] 28 And why are you anxious about clothing? Consider the lilies of the field, how they grow: they neither toil nor spin, 29 yet I tell you, even Solomon in all his glory was not arrayed like one of these. 30 But if God so clothes the grass of the field, which today is alive and tomorrow is thrown into the oven, will he not much more clothe you, O you of little faith? 31 Therefore do not be anxious, saying, ‘What shall we eat?’ or ‘What shall we drink?’ or ‘What shall we wear?’ 32 For the Gentiles seek after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them all. 33 But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you.
34 “Therefore do not be anxious about tomorrow, for tomorrow will be anxious for itself. Sufficient for the day is its own trouble.
Shoes.
Anxious about something? Next time you put on your shoes, remember that God has provided and will provide. There is no reason to be anxious. God provides for His children.
No comments:
Post a Comment