Today was our first full day in Moldova. After spending the first day traveling and getting settled into our new home we were ready to go shopping. Coming from a country that was in between 90 to 100 degrees every day to Moldova, where it ranges between 30 to 60 degrees, we were a bit chilly and needed some layers.
Being in a new country is always confusing. You never know where you are going or what you may find. On top of that there is no one there to answer your questions or direct you because very few people speak your language. Regardless of this, we were off and on a mission to get properly clothed. We were told to take the 184 bus to the 110, to get off at the park, and then to look for the secondhand store. I could write a whole separate blog about some of our crazy experiences on the mini buses here but I will save that for another time.
As we exited the 110 we were on the corner of a block that had a big park in the middle. We walked to the center of the park and came across a big cathedral that was big, beautiful, and old. We decided to stop and spend a few minutes inside exploring and enjoying the warmth and angelic singing of the choir.
I had seen the old woman on my way in. She was in tattered clothing that was mismatched and torn and was holding a piece of paper with a picture of a small girl on it. As we left the building she approached Sarah and I. She began pointing at her feet and speaking somewhat frantic Romanian that I could not understand.
Sarah and I looked at each other, both wondering what she was saying. She continued to point at her feet and I wondered if she was in pain and needed prayer. As I began to bend down to pray for her feet Sarah figured it out.
“I think she wants shoes,” she said.
“Oh,” I said. I looked at her shoes and saw that they were little more than slippers, made of cloth and obviously old and worn. I squirmed nervously and looked at my own feet, wondering what I would do without my shoes, especially in the cold.
I said a quick prayer and asked the Lord if he wanted me to give her my shoes. In my mind I saw an image of a nice new pair of boots and in that moment I knew I needed to give her my shoes. My shoes were nothing special. They were small generic black tennis shoes I had bought for $5 in Malaysia. And while they were my only pair of shoes I could easily buy more. To this woman my shoes were brand new, comfortable, and warm.
With some hesitation I began taking off my shoes and Sarah, having made the same decision to give up her shoes, was doing the same. As the woman sat with two pairs of shoes in front of her, she pointed at mine and began putting them on.
They were a perfect fit.
As I sat there in my socks looking at this woman in her brand new shoes I was overcome with joy. I began laughing and thought about how hilarious this whole situation had become. She handed me her torn and worn slippers and as I put them on I realized why she had been asking for new shoes. These “shoes” were little more than socks and were way too small. My toes were curling inside of them and they were painful to wear. I wondered how long she had been suffering in them. This part of the journey was painful but I knew it was only temporary.
I walked away knowing exactly what I needed to find. About an hour later I found a perfect pair of brand new boots, just like the ones I had dreamed about in front of the cathedral.
When we give things up in our life and trust the Lord to lead us, he always comes through with something even better than what we had to begin with. While I was a little nervous and scared to give up my only pair of shoes he quickly replaced what I had with shoes that were much better, warmer, and nicer than the ones I had.
As I have examined this small story about a pair of shoes I see the story of my life. My old life is gone and a new life is ahead of me. As I journey home I will not look back and wonder if I should have given up my “old shoes,” but instead I am looking forward to the new shoes God has for me. They are going to be much better, warmer, and more comfortable than the ones I was wearing before.
This year, I’m not gonna lie, has been somewhat of a journey in slippers that don’t quite fit. I gave up my cheap and decent shoes (that I thought were the the best I could find) and the immediate result has been a pair of slippers that are too small, and that are painful and uncomfortable to wear. This year has been hard, a true test of my love for God and His love for me! I have learned a lot but it has not been without discomfort. With that said I know the promises God has spoken to me and I will stand firm in them knowing that he has an awesome new pair of shoes, and an awesome life, waiting for me.
For the first time in my life I know exactly what I am looking for.
Philippians 4:6-7 says, “Don't worry about anything; instead, pray about everything. Tell God what you need, and thank him for all he has done. If you do this, you will experience God's peace, which is far more wonderful than the human mind can understand. His peace will guard your hearts and minds as you live in Christ Jesus.”
In Matthew 7: 7-8 The Lord says, “Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you. For everyone who asks receives; the one who seeks finds; and to the one who knocks, the door will be opened.”
