stinky shoes

Today I needed to go outside, so, being barefoot, I grabbed the nearest pair of shoes which happened to be my clogs, and slid my feet into them.

When I did, I was reminded of the fact that if I wore these particular shoes too long without putting socks on, they would begin to smell. It was then that I realized I was actually having a conversation with myself:

"You can wear them for a while, but there is a limit, you know. Just make sure you pull your feet out of them before they begin to sweat too much, or your shoes will be ruined. Hopefully you'll know if you're beginning to go too far, but here's the danger: You're likely to get distracted and forget...so remember to get your feet out, or you will ruin your shoes."

I know...I've ruined several pairs of shoes this way!

Now before you start to think that clogs and bare feet and trust in God have nothing in common, let me tell you what the Holy Spirit politely added after quietly observing the conversation .

"Yes," he said, "that's how people get stinky with sin too. They seem to see how far they can go without getting into trouble, but wouldn't it be a better idea to just keep as far away from sin as possible?"

Pastor Bob describes it this way: We enter into temptation when we allow ourselves to dabble here and there in areas that aren't specifically spelled out as sin in the Bible.....things that could pose a danger to us physically and spiritually if left unchecked....things that can lead to full blown sin. Temptation always precedes sin!

You may be happy to know that I CHOSE to remove my bare feet from my shoes....for I knew this life lesson was orchestrated just for me and I was standing on Holy ground!

Oh...and by the way, I am happy to announce that my clogs, thus far, remain stink free!