One Shoe

It was one of those July afternoons in Mobile. It felt as if the parking lot was sticking to the soles of my shoes. My main objective was the cool air just the other side of the sliding glass doors.

Just ahead I noticed a child's sandal lying on the sun-baked asphalt. My first reaction was to simply step over the shoe and continue my quest for the coolness just around the corner. Instead, I stopped, picked up the little shoe, and hurried on. Once inside I turned my discovery over to the lady at the desk and began my hospital visits.

As I walked the halls my mind started to wonder. The style was definitely a girl's. Who is she? Is she a blonde or brunette, or maybe a redhead? Is she thin or chubby? What is the color of her eyes. How old is she? What kind of parents does she have? Where is she now? How did she happen to lose her sandal?

I did not have an answer to any of these questions. All I could do was wonder. All I had was one lonely sandal in a scorching Mobile parking lot. But as I walked and wondered I was reminded of how Jesus talked about a child when He told us how we must enter the Kingdom of heaven. Jesus says, "I assure you, unless you are converted and become and like children you will never enter the Kingdom of heaven." (Matthew 18:3; HCSB)

The "weakness" of a child is somehow very powerful. A child demonstrates the power to wonder, the power to forgive and forget, the power to show genuine and refreshing innocence. A child is full of trust. Jesus says to gain entrance into heaven demands the same spirit as that of a trusting child. You see, no one enters the Kingdom of heaven walking tall. No, one must enter in trusting humility on their knees. We must each become as a little child.

As I exited the elevator I observed a smiling loving mother putting a small sandal on her daughter. My heart laughed and my soul smiled. Oh yeah! She was a redhead.