Hidden Puddles

Hidden Puddles

I was walking through my barn the other day with no shoes on. This really is not unusual because you will find me barefooted half the time. What was different about that day though, was the fact that I kept my socks on. Weird huh? I am still trying to figure that one out. But anyhow…I was walking through, minding my own business when all of the sudden a water puddle appears. Now, if you are anything like me, you understand how annoying that is! A perfectly good pair of socks are now ruined. I mean, I can wear them again, but only after washing them first!

As I stare in disgust at an obvious puddle, I realized that I seriously had no clue that it was there. At that point, though, there really was nothing more for me to do except strip my socks off.

I now have a choice…be disgusted and ticked off by the distraction or shrug it off and just run around barefoot. What would you have done?

I know this is an obvious statement but…if I have shoes or socks on and step in a puddle, I will get them wet. There is not an option there. It will be a distraction. So why not just run around barefoot. Seriously…what happens if you step in a puddle? You keep running and eventually your feet dry. You don't take time out to go get a towel…you don't sit a while waiting for the wind to blow dry them. You just keep going! Nothing slowing you down!

Can you imagine what it would be like if every time God threw something in your path, you would be "barefoot" and just take it in stride and allow it to be who you are and not get distracted or annoyed at it?

Think about it for a minute. Assume that the sock on your foot is protecting your desired life. You use it to seal in your ideas and to cover your well planned out detailed agenda. You are walking along feeling pretty comfortable and BAMM…God throws a water puddle in your path. What do you do? Do you get annoyed that your plans are not working out? Frustrated that everything you wanted to happen isn't as planned? Do you pout because you are not really in control? Have you found yourself running inside to just replace it and get on with your schedule?

Is that water puddle viewed as a huge inconvenience that you can't tolerate? Or do you instead slip your socks off and run through it again?

Who do you want to be? A person who holds so tightly to his or her own plans that when something better comes along you don't recognize it? Or are you the barefoot Jesus lover who, at any moment, welcomes new direction with excitement and anticipation, actually walking so close to Him that you seek out the puddles rather than have them sneak up on you?

You are one or the other there is no doubt! And the question that is slapping me in the face is this:

Do you want to leave footprints behind?

If so hit your knees and ask for God to open your eyes to the puddles that are all around you! Then just start running!