Ankles and Feet

May 24, 2019 by  
Filed under Daily Devotions, Humorous

By Robin J. Steinweg –

Work boots, maybe with a steel-reinforced toe; that’s the fellow two doors down. Black suit  hem, polished black shoes; the man across the street and down one. Tennis shoes, jeans; that’s the young mother next door. Nice slacks, sturdy shoes; next door on the other side.

This is my neighborhood in the winter. My neighbors are a variety of footwear, trouser-bottoms, and an occasional glimpse of sock. How can I obey God’s command to love them as myself if I never see them? And what keeps these folks isolated? Garage Door Closers—I think they’ve conspired together. In the mornings, a car with tinted glass backs out of its nightly cell and turns left or right. The Garage Door closes as the car disappears around the corner. It admits no one till evening. If I bent down quickly as it closes the gap between itself and the pavement, I might witness evidence of a real human presence. I might see enough of my neighbors’ shoes to guess whether it’s male or female, white collar or blue, adult or small child.

What can quell this wintertime technological conspiracy? The only thing I can think of is a significant fall of snow. Then the air comes alive with the surrendering groan of Garage Doors opening to release boots: tall, rubber, zippered, buckled, black, blue, pink, heeled or flat. Snow suits and heavy wool socks fill them, jeans or slacks tucked in. Shovels push the snow ahead of them, or snow blowers roar to pave a path. The Garage Doors are forced to stay up.

An elderly neighbor, someone with health issues, or an unfortunate whose snow blower is on the fritz could proclaim: “How beautiful are the feet of those who bring glad tidings of good news.”

“Here, let us clear that for you.”

This is my view of the neighborhood in the winter. My neighbors are more than a variety of footwear after all, and I guess the Garage Door Closers haven’t taken us hostage!

AUTHOR QUOTE: The best way to overcome closed garage doors is to invest in a pair of beautiful feet.

“…Love your neighbor as yourself” (Matthew 22:39b NET).

Today’s devotional is by Robin J. Steinweg. Robin’s life might be described using the game Twister: the colored dots are all occupied, limbs intertwine (hopefully not to the point of tangling), and you never know which dot the arrow will point to next, but it sure is fun getting there!

About Robin Steinweg

Today’s devotional is by Robin J. Steinweg. Robin’s life might be described using the game Twister: the colored dots are all occupied, limbs intertwine (hopefully not to the point of tangling), and you never know which dot the arrow will point to next, but it sure is fun getting there!
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Comments

6 Responses to “Ankles and Feet”
  1. Interesting to see the world from this perspective. What do I pay attention to in my world? I pray I spend more time building relationships than I do walls; more time lifting up the Lord than lowering my garage door to the world I’m sent to love. Thanks for this!

  2. Robin J. Steinweg says:

    Thank you, Kathy. I like what you said about spending more time lifting the Lord than lowering the garage door to the world. Yup, we’re sent to love.

  3. Hally Franz says:

    You’re right! It often seems like a reunion of neighbors when the days get longer and spring arrives. Everyone is outside working and enjoying the warmth. I’m looking forward to that, but it’s good to know that even when they aren’t seen, neighbors are there for one another when needed.
    Thanks, Robin!

  4. Robin J. Steinweg says:

    Thanks for reading, Hally. That’s true, not only snow storms, but warm weather also brings them out. We had a couple of booted little neighbors show up with cookies and brownies a week ago. Small feet, big hearts!

  5. Anita K. says:

    Love this whole devotional, and the author quote really sums it up.
    Thanks for the inspiration, Robin.
    You are beautiful from the feet up!

  6. Robin J. Steinweg says:

    Thank you, Anita. You’re leaving some awesome prints yourself, praise God!

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