shoeless

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Tomorrow marks a nation wide day of awareness called One Day Without Shoes. Have you heard about it? It is a day to draw awareness to the millions of children around the world that will go shoeless every day. Not by choice, but because they have no access to shoes. It causes them to catch parasites and diseases. It allows them to be injured. It keeps them out of schools.



I am sure most of you have heard of TOMS shoes or at least seen them. I will admit, the first time I saw the plain black ones, I thought they were pretty weird. Crazy mummy shoes. But then I started to see the glitter ones. And the cool bright colored patterns. And then one day I went to their website and read about how with every pair of shoes purchased, they donate a pair of shoes to a child in need. And then I started lusting after my own TOMS, which I still have not received. Ehem, Brian, ehem.

And then one of my best friends from college, Mary Allen came in town this weekend. And guess what she bought Lila for her birthday?? That is one cool, socially conscience baby. Owning awesome shoes before her mama. And no, these adorable pink butterfly ones do not come in adult sizes.

So tomorrow, even though her pink TOMS are super fabulous, Lila and I will both go without shoes. To draw awareness to children across the world who do not have a basket full of high tops and Uggs and Crocs and ballet flats and fancy party shoes and TOMS. I am sure it will be awkward at my business meetings. I am sure I might get kicked out of restaurant or two. I am sure at some point I will be completely grossed out by the nastiness that my feet are touching. But I will say a prayer with every step. Will you join me?

Funny that a pair of really nice shoes make us feel good in our heads,

at the extreme opposite end of our bodies.

~Levende Waters