Lets take a drive on a country road can you imagine it? The smell of fresh air, the meadows, country houses, roadside parks, grassy fields, and wire fences marking off the boundaries of homesteads and roads. My family and I were traveling on an interstate in Indiana; we were enjoying the view and each other. We came to a place on the highway where construction was ahead. The construction sent us on a detour through a small town. Once we got through the town, while driving on a two - lane highway, we drove around a narrow bend and came to a four way stop.
Now here is where things got strange, at the four way stop were old worn shoes strum on all four sides of the road. There were children's shoes, men's shoes, and women's shoes. There were shoes of all kinds: dress shoes, sports shoes, work shoes, and dancer's shoes. The shoes were dirty and torn, as if they had been there for years on end. Bringing it to my husband's attention, I wondered what was its significance? This was the strangest thing I had seen. What happened? Did a truck over turn carrying shoes and they were left there? Were the local town's people making a cultural or political statement? Who left them there and why? I had seen some strange things happening on country roadways... but this took the cake. For sure, if it was a tourist trap to get people to stop and take pictures or to get someone to write about it on a blog, it certainly worked. The sight only left me with many unanswered questions. We eventually got back on the interstate and made it to our destination.
Although we made it to our destination, I continued to ponder over the sight with many more questions. Where are the owners of the shoes? What were their life stories? Where did they come from and where were they going? How did they live? I remember it was said that you could tell a lot about a person by the shoes they wore. I don't know if that is true because I have seen people wearing thousand dollar shoes and living in shacks. I have seen a rich man wearing shoes he purchased from a thrift store. Maybe that is why he's rich because he is frugal and invests his money wisely? Whatever the case maybe, it still didn't answer my questions why those shoes were strum alongside the crossroad? Maybe it was designed to get drivers to think, slow down and enjoy their journey? Did the previous owners of those shoes get tired and gave up their journey in life? I can't say. But I can say I took it as a sign for drivers to be aware of their circumstances around them as they drove. Why? Because sometimes as life would have it, it will keep you from reaching your destination unharmed. Therefore, it is a warning sign for all drivers traveling on that road to beware of dangers.
You know this detour reminded me of how life is, strange things can happen at an intersection in ones life. Sometimes, you don't know whether to turn right, or turn left, or keep straight ahead. I believe these strange things are designed to get you to stop. It is designed so we will take an assessment of our lives and seek God for directions. Many times we will ask ourselves questions like, "What is my purpose in life? Do I have what it takes to make it happen? And if so, what will it cost me to get there? Will there be others to help me accomplish it?" Amongst all the questions, I know one thing. I guarantee you it will cost you everything you have put into life thus far. And to complete your mission in life, it will take all the rest. Those shoes represent life and the lives it touched. They are a reminder to us that life is difficult, but it is worth the struggles to obtain our goals. Are you willing to pay what it takes to obtain it? Life is full of strange and unexpected things, like those shoes on the side of the country road.
Regardless of life's strangeness and its detours, are you moving forward to get back on your assigned road to reach your planned destination? Just keep moving forward and don't give up; you will reach your destination. Remember this, you too make need a new pair of shoes as you travel onward in life. When you find that you need another pair of shoes, just toss off the old and put on new ones. Leave your old shoes as a testament of your past life. So others when they see your worn shoes exchanged for new ones, they will know you too continue your journey. People often come to the same intersection in life as you. They often leave their old life behind and take on new lives. Yours and their old shoes are what are left behind as signs that they moved on with the new. So... drive on with your new shoes...! See you at the next intersection of life!
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