Clomp, clomp, clomp is the sound coming from the hallway as my oldest daughter wears another pair of shoes that don’t belong to her.  They are too big, yet she is proud.  She is walking in her mommy’s shoes and is delighted that she can.  I smile broadly as I see her attempt to move in footwear that is obviously not her size.  She is enjoying the moment and I wonder at the delight of her at two.  There is something adorable when our children play dress up and pretend.  They are practicing in a safe environment for what is coming and who they will become.  It is innocent.  As my thoughts meander from that moment of long ago to the present, I ponder the reality that I often play dress up.  I wouldn’t admit this outright, but I’m attempting to walk in shoes that don’t fit.  I’m wearing on my feet someone’s shoes whose feet are far bigger than mine and it really doesn’t work.  In fact, I fall.  It’s hard not to do this. For I want to be like my Heavenly parent.  I want to mimic the steps of godliness and holiness, yet I must do it in shoes that fit.  Any attempt to don on the One whose steps are far greater truly ends in a disaster of sorts.  The shoes bring on responsibility.  The shoes bring on authority.  I have neither role. The shoes bring on an attempt to be something I am not.  I could get hurt and often do when attempting to walk in shoes that are far too big for my smallness.

Walking in my own shoes allows me to move freely in what only I can control.  Walking in my own shoes, causes me to be able to stride uninhibited.  As a toddler ambles about precariously in shoes that don’t fit, I cannot march fully and confidently in apparel that was never meant to work; for me.  While dress up is fun and innocent for a toddler, it is defeating in my journey to follow God.  God has given me shoes that are just the right size and fit perfectly.  I want to be content and thankful for them and rest in a Parent who is big enough to carry this world wearing shoes much too big for me