While going through my box of flip flops, I noticed that several of them have seen some better days. As you all know, I am a FLIP FLOP Queen. Love 💕 love 💕 love 💕 them.
But....when you can see deep imprints of your foot on the pad of the flip flop, it speaks heavily of how many miles you have put on the soles of those flip flops. My miles certainly have not been made at the BEACH....they are there from the many trips made to the grocery store, to the mall, and just wearing them during the long afternoons I spend out in the yard.
This Summer season, I really need to purchase some new ones, but the way I see it is that all of mine still fit and perhaps they have a little less tread on them, but they are comfortable.
If you stop and think about it, sometimes our Faith can feel like an old pair of flip flops. Comfortable, very familiar, but yet worn around the edges. It's crazy how life's bumps and turns have ways of showing us where we have grown thin, thin and more thin.
WOO.....I am so thankful that God doesn't toss us aside when we look and feel worn out......Instead, He invites us to come closer and spend time with Him in prayer and to dig deeper in His Word. Little by little, our Faith gets patched up and made strong again.
(There have been numerous times when I have patched a favorite pair of flip flops)
In my humble opinion, a faithful life isn't about how shiny or well put together it looks. It's about the scuff marks, the worn-out soles, and the countless miles my faith has carried me. Sometimes limping, sometimes dancing, but always moving forward with God by my side.
As I was going through the old looking summer flip flops (I shouldn't say summer flip flops, cause I wear them all year long) this thought came to my mind...... that I want my Faith to be steady and committed. Like my favorite summer shoes, I want my Faith to be Reliable, comfortable, having a firm foundation and always ready to take the next step....no matter where the path leads me.
Of course, when the girls say: "Mom, I think you need some new flip flops or......those are kinda out of style" then you must take a second look. While I might purchase a pair to wear when I'm getting all dressed up, it is still important to make sure they meet the comfy standards. Not just any pair will do. They have to be totally reliable!!
Who else wears flip flops all year long? Surely not just Me!!
Shug....
Bom dia, Shug
ReplyDeletePassando por aqui para conhecer o seu blog, gostei muito, postagem inspiradora, a analogia da fé com o chinelo foi enriquecedora. Diante das adversidades da vida, Deus com seu amor grandioso, fortalece a nossa fé. Um forte abraço.
I don't wear flip flops at all! lol But I do agree with you about wanting a firm foundation - with the Lord - whether it be old or new. Love your sandals though.
ReplyDeleteI got in the habit of wearing them many years ago when I couldn't stand for my feet to be hot. lol. Wearing them also makes me keep my toe nails looking decent.
DeleteOh my, I must tell you that I cannot wear flip flops because the thing between my toes makes me want to pass out...strange I know...but I wear Crocs and have them in all colors and styles:) Our Lord and Savior doesn't care if we are flip flop or croc people he loves us all:)
ReplyDeleteI like crocs too and they are very comfortable. I understand what you are talking about..there are some brands and styles of flip flops that I can't wear because of the piece that goes between the wheels.
DeleteI can't tell you the last time I wore flip-flops ... or if I even still have any. Now, comfortable and worn? I've numerous pair of 'unmentionables' and leggings that have seen better days. (TMI?)
ReplyDeleteI so adore your analogy, and will be sharing it with my Bible study sistas.
My feet get so hot is Tennis shoes, so I never wear them....As crazy as it might sound, I have a closet full of shoes, but I keep going back to my faithful flip flops.
DeleteI can't stand that thing between my toes so I don't wear flip flops. In the summer I often go barefoot or wear sandals. In the winter I'm wearing something warm!
ReplyDeleteI've heard so many people say they can't wear flip flops due to the discomfort of the piece between the toes. I can understand where that can be an issue. At home, inside, I pretty much go barefoot. Winter time, I do wear socks in the house...have a great day Mari.
DeleteThis is a great analogy!! Crocs are my thing, but not as cute as flip-flops for sure!
ReplyDeleteThank you Ginny....I like Crocs too...they are very comfortable..I sometimes wear them when Mylee leaves a pair out at the pool...I'm like, these look comfy, so I think I'll wear them a bit..and then she comes and gets them a couple days later.
DeleteI used to rely on flip flops in the summer, but after a bout of plantar fasciitis the doctor recommended I get something with more arch support. Now I have multiple pairs of foam Birkenstocks.
ReplyDeleteoh goodness...I had that about 15 years ago...thought it would never go away...Birkenstocks are great shoes...
DeleteI want to be "Totally Reliable" like the much loved pair of flip flops. I was wearing a pair of FF's the last 2 days and my knee was hurting something awful. I went deep into my closet and dragged out my Old Reliable flip flops that have more tread on them and cushion and are molded to my ugly bunion shaped tootsies.
ReplyDeleteAnd now
I am walking again without that limp..
There's a whole new "devotion" in there someplace.
I really love your analogy about the firm foundation and God using what we have and what He has given us.
A Big Thank you for this post Shug.
Sue
I have this same thing happen with certain brand flip flops.. It happened to me last week...I pulled out a pair that I rarely wear and my right knee went crazy...
DeleteWhat a fun post!
ReplyDeleteThank you!! I always enjoy visiting your place...
DeleteI love flip flops-Christine cmlk79.blogspot.com
ReplyDeleteMe too.....thank goodness they like me too..
DeleteI love this! Actually makes a lot of sense. I'll never look at worn-out flip flops the same.
ReplyDeleteI no longer wear flip-flops because of the thingy between the toes. I don't go barefoot either anymore. I have a feet fetish (not really), but I am picky about my feet. I wear Tevas or water sandals. Where you are a flip-flop gal I am a boot lover. Of course, I can only wear them in the cooler months, but that is what I have many pairs of.
Same here...even though I wear flip flops, I am very picky about the ones I buy and wear. I can't wear those little thin kind that barely have a sole...It's all about the kind of weather we have in our areas..I may wear boots a few times during the winter and most of time they are dress boots. When we were in Alaska a couple of years ago, I noticed that most all of the people who live there wore one brand of shoe...I can't remember the name now, but one of them told me that it's just what they all wear...
DeleteI wish I could wear flip flops, but since I developed some balancing issues several years ago, I have to wear a sturdy shoe. My go-tos are Skechers. Your analogy here though, is spot on, Shug. Our faith, though it may appear a bit worn and torn on the outside, still hold us in a firm and everlasting foundation. Blessings!
ReplyDeleteSkechers are good shoes and I have had a couple of pair of them in the past. Hope you all are getting the gorgeous sunshine we are having today..
DeleteWhat a lovely analogy you have done here with comparing our faith to old flip flops. Your posts are always so thought provoking, and I love that. Hope your week is going well, my friend. xx
ReplyDeleteThank you Dianna...It has been a good week and I sure hope the same for you all. Hope you have a successful week and one that is full of happiness...
DeleteI only own one pair of shoes, the walkers tennis for dog walking. I wear nothing but sandals, I have one pair that go between toes, they are dressy, but used to wear nothing but flip flops. as the between the toe turned mid 70's it started to hurt. mine are slides, with one or two bands that hold them on. my favorite is croc sandals, black and I wear them most of the time and tried to buy a new pair and can't find them. I use my old ones for outside and the better for going out. which is a moot point now. I don't go out at all except to run in for RX and doc appts and vet visits, and in Florida no one wears shoes
ReplyDeleteI wouldn't wear shoes if I lived in Florida...and I most likely would not match in my clothes. This is the way it is in Hawaii..No shoes, and you just grab a pair of flowered shorts and a shirt.. if they match fine and if they don't fine. LOL.. croc sandals are good to wear..
DeleteOh, how I love flip flops, Shug, and I have a bright pink pair right by the door that I use when I go out in the yard even in the winter, although I only wear them out and about in the summertime. Loved the ones with the daisies, by the way. Your words on faith are so special, and really got to me today as I was reading. I so wish you lived closer, Shug. We could sit and chat over a cup of coffee and talk about so many things. You are a gem.
ReplyDelete~Sheri
Love the analogy! And I literally just threw away a pair of slip on flip flops today! I had them forever! They were literally falling apart! Always enjoy my visits with you, my friend.
ReplyDeleteI haven't worn flip flops since I was a kid. And yes, I live in Florida, and I wear shoes, primarily Skechers. I have to put them on as soon as my feet hit the floor. I have some sandals and I try to wear them when the outfit I am wearing doesn't look good with tennis shoes, like a dress outfit, but I can't wait to get them off. But lately I am having some issues with my big toes and I need to figure out either a wider toed shoe or wear sandals for a while until they get better. I need arch support and I like a shoe that fits my heel. I tend to trip if I am wearing flippy kind of shoes. But for those of you who can wear flip flops and sandals, I say more power to you. I wish I could, but it just doesn't seem to work for me. But I loved your analogy and this whole post and everyone's comments!
ReplyDeleteIt's too cold in these parts to wear flip flop all year long. Cold feet make me cranky...lol
ReplyDeleteI like how you compared faith to old flip flops. Makes sense.