As families gather in the United States celebrating Thanksgiving day, Gratitude is the theme. Our family was no exception as we were a large one and when our little girls were old enough, they joined in Blessing before our Meal. Around our large table, one by one even our littlest girls shared about what they were most thankful. Happily, this tradition continues today with their own families.
As I thought of other times that I found gratitude in my life, I was surprised to remember that as an SJSU student taking a journaling workshop, a professor posed a journaling question of gratitude in relation to our bodies. We were given 30 minutes to write. My response was my feet. I had usually taken my feet completely for granted, I only noticed them when they hurt or were cold. How my awareness was raised when I began to concentrate on what they have done for me in my life. From learning to walk, running, hopping, jumping, skipping. Then my development as a dancer. It is humbling to see how God used my gift of dance as discipleship.
During my traveling days, I was always cautioned to bring sturdy walking shoes to accommodate uneven pavements, cobblestone sidewalks, and various terrains. Attention: feet first! My pleasure walking in Rome, Paris, and Egypt was so enhanced by having the correct footwear to protect my feet. In the Holy land and in Jerusalem, following in the footsteps of Jesus, my awareness of the importance of feet increased. Can I ever imagine how Jesus’ feet felt with the amount of walking he did in his ministry? Just reflect only sandals, no socks, in the hot desert for miles and miles. At the end of His life he walked to Calvary, barefoot, carrying the cross that would hold His sacred body in Crucifixion. This was the ultimate example of acceptance of His Heavenly Father’s will.
I continue my appreciation of these feet today in the Villages, walking the Cribari Circle, Dance for Fun class on Monday, Israeli Dance on Wednesday, quarterly demonstrating ballroom with Jim for the Chinese Club. My dance shoes these days may not be as high or sparkly as they were, but they carry special cargo, my special gift of my Lord. May they continue to lead me in His rightful path for His greater glory.
