God at the Shoe Store

I had no idea what was going to happen. It was completely organic. I had an appointment in the middle of the afternoon, so I decided to run to the mall and try on some shoes beforehand. Now, this is not a common activity for me. I have shopped at this shoe store before, and throughout time I have purchased a pair of sandals and three pairs of boots there, but the last time I was there was over seven years ago. Recently, I have ordered any shoes I needed online. But I really like one of the brands at this store, and almost on a whim, I decided to see what they had available. (I thought it was my idea.)

I found a pair that I wanted to try on right away. “Ah, you have good taste!” the young man working there said to me. I had to chuckle at this. His name was Joseph, and he measured my foot, then went to the back to find the shoe in my size. When he came back, he said this particular shoe was not really my size, but it was the largest size the store had in stock. I tried it on and really liked it, though it was quite snug. I tried to convince myself it would be okay, that it would stretch with wear, that I would “break it in,” but it started squeezing me a little too much. Trying to be reasonable (even though they were very cute), I said that I just didn’t think that this one would work.

Joseph understood completely and said that he didn’t want to sell me anything that wasn’t right for me. I quickly found another shoe that I liked and wanted to try on, so he went to the back to get that one. He came back with a stack of boxes – different colors, sizes, styles – that he thought I might like.

The store was especially busy on this particular afternoon. There were three workers, and each was waiting on a different customer. A whole family came, and it appeared to consist of the father who was holding a baby, the mother, and three to four school-age children. The mother was carrying a shoebox and began talking to the young lady who worked at the store. Joseph jumped up and entered their conversation (therefore, I couldn’t help but overhear).

She had gotten a pair of shoes for her daughter from their church’s back-to school shoe ministry, but they did not fit and they wanted to exchange them. The store workers checked the original price and told the mother that they could pick out any shoes they liked and receive credit for this pair. If they picked out a more expensive pair, they could just pay the difference.

I was seated in a chair facing the interior wall (with boxes of shoes all around me), and this family sat in chairs facing the store entrance, so we were sitting back-to-back and I couldn’t see them.

Please believe me when I say I made a conscious effort not to turn around and look (although I wanted to, and now I wish I had), but I couldn’t help hearing what was going on behind me. The shoes her daughter wanted would cost $25.46 more than the original pair. Although I couldn’t tell exactly what the discussion was between the salesman and the mother, I felt strongly that the Lord was telling me to offer to pay the difference for this family. I know that $25 can be out of reach at times. I know that there are times when you may greatly desire something but lack the resources to get it.

Joseph was extra busy with many things besides me, and I began to try on some shoes by myself that were on sale and in boxes stacked on a table. I walked past the young lady who worked there and wanted to discreetly tell her that if the family didn’t have the $25, I would like to pay it. About this time, Joseph rushed by (things had gotten really hectic) and asked what we were talking about, assuming it had something to do with the shoes I wanted. So, I quietly told him that I would like to pay the money needed if the mother didn’t have the money to get the shoes that her daughter wanted.

Well, it took quite a while for them to discuss everything, apparently. I tried on several more pairs of shoes, waiting to see what would happen. I tried on some slip-on water shoes in two different styles, and the young lady even went to the back to see if they had one of the pairs in black. I thought I might like these, but mostly I think I was just biding my time.

I glanced over my shoulder and saw the precious mother tell the worker to tell whoever paid the money, “thank you.”  Joseph was standing there, too. (Oh, I wish I could have seen the whole thing! But I had really tried to act unaware and consumed with my shopping.)

The family left the store with the new pair of shoes even though I had not yet paid the added cost. The salespeople must have truly trusted me! Joseph told me that the mother had teared up when they told her that someone wanted to pay the difference for the shoes. He said that she had almost started crying and had to walk out. I happen to know for a fact that it means a tremendous amount to a mother to know that her child has what she needs. I’m so thankful that I played a small part in this story.

I imagine this little girl wearing a very nice pair of stylish shoes walking down the halls of her school this fall. A new pair of shoes can make a huge difference in the confidence and productivity of a child. I wish I could see her wearing her new shoes. Oh, my goodness…it just hit me…I can pray for her! What a revelation. Dear Lord, I pray that this little girl will know the love of Jesus and that she will learn to love God with all her heart, soul, mind, and strength.

Well, back to my shopping. Joseph found a deeply discounted shoe in my size unlike any that I had looked at, but very much like what I wear most of the time – a pair of running shoes that I will wear as house slippers. Yes, I wear running shoes around the house for good support for my back and feet and hips – all of it! Joseph said that I got the deal of the day.

Before I knew it, I found another pair that I liked very much, and the fit was amazing. No squeezing or pinching! On top of that, I got points for what I spent, so I got $30 discounted from the total bill. Wait a minute…. I gave $25, then I received $30 immediately….What?  This gave me goose bumps as I stood at the counter.

When I had finished checking out, Joseph asked if he could give me a hug. “Of course, but I’m a little sweaty after all of this activity!”

I went to that store on a whim this afternoon (I thought). Thank you, Lord, for leading me. I ask you to do it again.

Habakkuk 3:2

Lord, I have heard of your fame; I stand in awe of your deeds, Lord. Repeat them in our day, in our time make them known; in wrath remember mercy.