The Extra Mile

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Yesterday evening, I reached into the hope chest built by my Dad to grab a pair of shoes I hadn't worn in a while. I hurriedly slipped them on, hopped in the car, and took off to church. I wasn't there long before I realized I had something inside my shoe. My first thought was a pebble and the old saying about walking in someone else's moccasins with a pebble in them. A few steps later, I realized it was more than just a pebble and as soon as I was able to get my hands free, it would have to be tended to. As I slipped my shoe off, I was surprised to find not a pebble but a pair of surgical tweezers. You may wonder as I did, how in the world would they end up in my shoe. I later realized that we had stored a box of Rusty's medical supplies on top of the very hope chest that holds all of my shoes. That's the only thing that even halfway makes sense. 

As I recalled the incident when I removed the tweezers from my pocket later that night, I was reminded of the old Clay Crosse song, He Walked a Mile In My Shoes. I believe it is loosely based on Matthew 5:41, where Jesus is instructing us on how we are to treat others, but also emphasizes the struggle our Savior endured for us.

My prayer this week is that I never forget the sacrifice that was made for me. 

And if anyone forces you to go one mile, go with him two miles. -Matthew 5:41

He Walked a Mile In My Shoes - Clay Crosse



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