The truth is, my tootsies were FREEZING! Why, you ask? The answer is simple, I'm a dummy. I've been serving the homeless for 7 years now. I should know better. I should have remembered that when it's below freezing out and there is wet snow on the ground, my feet are going to get wet. When your feet get wet and it's that cold outside, guess what!? Your toes get cold!
Tonight I was outside serving our friends in this harsh weather. Of course I made sure everyone else that was with me in my family had on their boots and heavy winter coats. But what do I wear? Jeans, a sweatshirt and sneakers (yes, I grabbed a coat but I initially walked outside without one). Sneakers-what was I thinking?? I know better. However, I was running late as usual and just wasn't thinking ahead about the terrible decision I was about to make.
Now I am at our first stop of the night. We are maybe about 15 minutes into the night. I start to notice that my feet are getting pretty cold. As the conversations with our campers were winding up, I started to notice that the only thing I could think of was how cold my feet were. They were in so much pain. In the car, I couldn't get them warmed up. I had the heat on so high for so long I was sweating, yet my feet-still frozen. I was positive I had frost bite and I was going to lose several toes. Not just one-several. I know, a bit of a drama queen, but they were so cold! Then it happened. The guilt started to set in. What kind of terrible person is out serving the homeless in this freezing weather and all they can think about is how cold their own toes are!! Shame on me! Our campers are out in this cold 24/7. If they want to get somewhere, they have to walk. When they leave their tents, they first have to walk through the snow and slush in order to get to where they are going. Then it happened. You know, the life lessons that God uses as teaching moment that make you hang your head and say, "I know." "I know. Ok, I really get it." There was a gentleman standing next to me in our prayer circle. He was a tall man. No, I mean tall. I know I am short and I have to 'look up' to most people, but this guy made me look like I should be representing the lolly pop kids. This man towering next me was shaking like a wet dog because he was so cold. Immediately after our prayer circle, one of the other campers came over next to us and started pleading with me to PLEASE try to find this man some boots. He had holes in his shoes and the onset of trench foot. If you don't know what this is, google it. It is not pretty. This was a major issue for soldiers in the trenches in WWI. This is when damage occurs to the soft tissue, blood vessels, and nerves in the feet. It can lead to gangrene and amputation. Not fun. Very painful. So here I am worried about my poor little toes being 'too cold' and this gentle giant next to me is on the path to possibly literally losing toes or worse. It was official. This 'life lesson' had left a permanent imprint on my mind. Never shall I 'complain' of cold toes again. This guy has to live out in these conditions all of the time. He doesn't get to get into his warm car in between stops to allow his feet to warm up. He has holes in his boots. At least there weren't any holes in my shoes. . . My shoes. How many pairs of shoes do I have? How many pairs of shoes do I really need? This made me start thinking of ways that I could help this man receive a pair of boots that he desperately needs (which are size 13EE-I know, right?). I thought to myself, what if I were able to get every person who reads this blog to donate at least one pair of boots or sneakers? I mean, that would at be about a million pairs of shoes. Ha Ha. But seriously, that would be a lot of kicks to a lot of folks in serious need.
So, that leads me to my challenge for you this week. Seriously think about going through your closets and donating those boots that you haven't worn in years. Maybe you don't have extra boots at home, but you love to drink coffee. What about choosing to drink 'regular' coffee from home and taking that money you would have spent at Starbucks to by some one in need a pair of boots to help keep them safe and warm this winter? Maybe you can't afford to buy boots. What about buying some hand or foot warmers to try to keep someone warm? There are so many ways that we can help and show the love of Christ to another. What way are you going to show Christ's love this week?? As for me, I am going to go through my closet and see what I can give to someone whose needs are so much greater than mine. I will also remember to wear my boots and never complain of cold tootsies again!
God Bless.
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