I’ve always had rough feet-my apologies for those who are repulsed by phalanges. Years of pointe shoes and thousands of miles pounded on sidewalks and 8 lane ovals has left my little piggies callused and bruised and often missing a few nails. I can honestly say they have never taken a pounding quite like my first month of the race- dozens of small bug bites, dirt, scrapes, awkward tans, nail polish that won’t come off, and heels rubbed raw by wet chacos.
Acts 3 begins with Peter and John approaching a lame beggar at the temple gates.
6 Then Peter said, “Silver or gold I do not have, but what I do have I give you. In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, walk.” 7 Taking him by the right hand, he helped him up, and instantly the man’s feet and ankles became strong. 8 He jumped to his feet and began to walk. Then he went with them into the temple courts, walking and jumping, and praising God.9 When all the people saw him walking and praising God, 10 they recognized him as the same man who used to sit begging at the temple gate called Beautiful, and they were filled with wonder and amazement at what had happened to him.”
Notice how the first thing that man did was get to praising? He didn’t drag them around in a pout that the Lord waited that long to heal him, and he didn’t kick them up and sit back. The strength in his steps was directly from God, and he turned that new found agility immediately into glory.
So on days when all I want to do is kick my feet up or begrudgingly drag them through the gravel to ministry, I’m gonna walk with the knowledge that the rough feet I stand on have the ability to be made beautiful by bringing the good news. As my legs grow weary from another round of the hokey pokey or another twenty minute bike ride to the Buddhist school I’m teaching at, I trust that the strength that keeps my feet moving is the same that moves mountains and seas and hearts and countries. That’s pretty cool
Life updates:
I live in Battambang Cambodia, doing outreach ministry with my team in the mornings and alternating between teaching classes and making cards at a hospital in the afternoon. Lots of carbs, lots of rain, lots of bugs, and lots of assurance from the Lord that He’s the least neglectful friend we could dream of having. That’s pretty cool.
-g
p.s. I found granola bars, don’t let anyone ever tell you that there’s isn’t a God or that he isn’t good
