Silly socks ~ ugly shoes.

Three months after suddenly losing our son, my daughter and I were set to serve on a mission trip.  I did NOT want to go. I was certain I had nothing to give.  Only after arriving at the church in Honduras with our medical team did I realize WHY I was there.  Have you ever done something because it seemed like the “right” thing to do and understood later is was meant for YOUR growth?

We took suitcases full of medical supplies and gave aid during a weak time.  I was sent to help in evangelism.  Sharing the gospel was not something I did at home and I was terrified! Seeking discomfort teaches us. We were there to share and connect.  Speaking through translators was a challenge.  When I asked the first parent what I could pray for, the translator said, “this mother has just lost her son.”  I sat with tear filled eyes in disbelief! God, I thought…I hear you…now what?  A former trembling voice became strong.  I shared my heart, love, memory and reminded her of HIS saving grace and gift of eternal life! It was during those seven days that God saw fit to place parent after parent in front of me that had lost children.  

One year ago, a nurse on our team and her husband, lost their son.  Not long afterwards mutual friends from another family lost their son. They are all amazing, beautiful people!  Oh! How God brings us together by HIS grace, so that we may lean in support of one another!  We now wear shoes of grief. No one wants to wear these shoes.

“I am wearing a pair of shoes. They are ugly shoes.  Uncomfortable shoes.  Each day I wear them and each day I wish I had a different pair.  Some days my shoes hurt so bad that I do not think I can take another step.  Yet, I continue to wear them.  I get funny looks wearing these shoes.  They are looks of sympathy.  I can tell in others eyes that they are glad they are not in my shoes.  They never talk about my shoes.  To learn how awful my shoes are might make them uncomfortable.  To truly understand these shoes you must walk in them.  Once you put them on you can never take them off.  I now realize that I am not the only one that wears these shoes.  There are many pairs in this world.  Some parents are like me and ache daily as they walk in them.  Some have worn these shoes for so long that some may believe that days would go by before they think about how much they hurt, but that is not so.  No one deserves to wear these shoes.  Yet, because of these shoes, I am stronger.  These shoes have given me the strength to face anything!  They have made me who I am today.  I will forever walk in the shoes of a parent that has lost a child.”  Author Unknown

If you serve those without ANY shoes, you learn to appreciate whatever shoes you wear!

Each year we are adding new mission trips through our non profit, Chosen to Shine!  We appreciate your prayerful support.  Please consider serving with us!  Chosen to Shine ~ Honduras Mission ~ January 2019 

Happy Thanksgiving friends!

Peace & Love, 

MamaC

Then I heard the voice of the Lord saying, “Whom shall I send? And who will go for us?” And I said, “Here am I. Send me!”  Isaiah 6:8

Photo by Jill Heupel Photography:  “Always wear silly socks!”  Connor Cunningham