“How beautiful on the mountains are the feet of the messenger who brings good news, the good news of peace and salvation, the news that the God of Israel reigns! (‭Isaiah‬ ‭52‬:‭7‬ NLT).”

I’ve received many compliments in my life but never have any been about my feet. Size 11 and a half, 2nd toe longer than the big one. Cracked toenails. I always feel like I need to apologize when I go for a pedicure or to at least let them know I understand that they are not miracle workers…

I just hugged and kissed my three kids for the last time until July. I’ve been holding the emotion of it all in until I just sat down and found this picture on my phone.

IMG_4567Somehow in the craziness of loading them all up in the car to go to Camp Mimi’s I didn’t notice Big sister took a picture of her feet with my phone.

This is one of the things I love most about my oldest daughter. Her creativity in the way she expresses herself.

You see. We went shopping together yesterday. For a few days we had searched 2nd hand stores for a pair of affordable strappy sandals for her. Our search had come up short. I knew she was disappointed but she is very good at brushing off disappointment.

On a whim yesterday, I said, “Hey, let’s go try one more place.” On the way I said a little prayer that we would find her the perfect pair of sandals. She doesn’t ask for much and since we live on a pretty strict budget my heart was broken that we couldn’t find just the right ones.

I can’t really say that I had strong faith that He would provide for a “want” such as a pair of sandals. My perspective on such things is a little different than some simply because of what my life’s work is…working with people who are living in poverty. American Christians are bit spoiled rotten and sometimes we interpret “God supplying all of our needs…” a little differently than is Biblically accurate. But I dare not get on that soapbox for now…

Back to the sandals…

Wouldn’t you know it? We walk into this store and in the first minute there they were. Hanging from an end cap. I swear I saw a halo of light around them and the “Hallelujah” chorus playing in the background.

I stopped in my tracks and thought (because I didn’t dare want my daughter to sense my disbelief) “There is no stinkin’ way that these sandals are her size.” I looked at the tag…they weren’t her size but just to appease her I said,

“Try them on anyway.”

Low and behold the darn things fit her. She loved them and her face beamed as she expressed her excitement with cool confidence that the Lord would “provide.”

Indeed He did provide. But it wasn’t about the sandals at all.

It was so much more. God was indeed supplying a need of my heart.

A need for peace that He sees my momma’s heart that is filled with nervousness about leaving my babies for half a month.

A need for strength as I leave Joe (my rock) for the longest time and farthest distance in our 17 years together.

A need for assurance that I heard His voice and was obedient to follow Him to Malawi to help teach at a couple of conferences for pastors and church leaders.

We paid for the sandals and headed to the car.

“Honey, will you pray for Momma every time you strap those sandals on while I am gone.”

And with that those sandals became about so much more than a momma wanting to provide for a “want” of her daughter.

I am trusting the God of the universe to transform my homely size 11 and half feet into something beautiful over the coming days. It took a pair of silly sandals and a picture of the beautiful feet of a 10 year old with childlike faith to confirm in my heart that He indeed has the power to do such an impossible task.

Lord, make my feet beautiful.  This is my prayer as I go.