High arches & Flat feet

You will not have to worry, Mom & Dad. I will take care of you. You will one day have no cares, because I’ll make sure you’re comfortable. You will be green in every area, no disease will touch you, nor will “worry” be an article of clothing you will sport.

Little sister, I will protect you. I will make sure I can give you an up on the competition. I will provide for you in areas where you lack so that you won’t miss out. You’ll never experience a drought of support for I’ll always be your biggest cheerleader. Never will you question your identity. I will continue to reassure you of your worthy.

Friends, the few comrades, you have my loyalty. I will stand in your corner when no one else will. I will back up your character when it is questioned. Peers will question if we’re family because of our relationship. You won’t have to worry about the security of your back, because I will have it.

I’ve been raised to help the helpless, to feed the hungry, to mentor the lost, and to love the outcasts. To honor the, “Golden Rule”.

In a world where it’s constantly dark, in a world where the lies are portrayed to be truth, in a society where you’re taught to trust no one & only look out for yourself, I want to be separate. Imagine how a society would function if we were to just wear a fellow man’s shoes.

I recently attended church camp with my youth kids this month. It was incredible. It was my first year attending camp where I played the role of a youth leader. It was such a different view. Over the week, I got to experience kids being freed from bondage, healing from injured body parts to traumatic pasts, and children receiving God’s love.

I think the most impactful moment was when I met my new friend, Noah. Noah is awesome. This dude has a huge smile that is just contagious, a heart that is so kind, and such a gentle nature.

When first meeting Noah, I was sitting with my girls eating dinner. I saw him scanning the chow hall, seeking a familiar face. [I still have yet to figure out what group he was from] My eyes locked in with his. He gave me a timid grin & immediately I was drawn to him. I gestured one hand to “come over” as I pulled a chair out with the other. He sat down with his tray, and with the upmost politeness, extended his hand out to me to introduce himself.

MELT MY HEART!

What a sweet heart! We then discussed his interests, expectancy for the week, love for art, and his killer skills in Stitch impersonations. The child had that little blue alien’s accent on lock.

Through out the week I’d see him, we’d eat our meals together, he’d B-Line to me during games for big bear hugs, and would update me on what Jesus was doing in his heart.

Friday morning came, it was time to pack up & ship off back home. As I loaded luggage into my car, I felt a tap on my shoulder.

Noah: “Are you leaving already?”

Me: “Yeah man, gotta get the hoodlums back home.”

Noah: “Okay. Are you coming to the conference in November?”

Me: “Son, you know this!”

He flashed me the biggest smile, gave me one more hug, and snapped I a mandatory selfie.

We dwell in a world where everyone looks for acceptance. Where if you don’t look a certain way, you’re rejected. If you don’t act in specific mannerisms, you’re tossed aside. When you’re “different”, you’re treated like you’re broken. Be not of this world. Be the hands & feet. Not only to your family and friends, but to those outside your routes.

Noah & I have different shoe sizes. He’s flat footed while I have high arches, and he walks on the inside of his feet while I walk on the outside of mine. But ya know.. I’d wear that kid’s shoes again without missing a beat.

-H.E.R.