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When Your Busted Flip-Flop Speaks to You

June 20, 2019 by Lauren 32 Comments

I had a sandal blow out.  While my youngest attended an end of school soiree, my husband and I decided to take Shelby, our special needs daughter, to see Dumbo.  A circus tent with a flying elephant is right up her alley.  Well, if I’m being honest, she doesn’t care what movie we take her to as long as she has popcorn and a soda.  But on the way into the theater, a well-loved flip-flop flipped it’s last flop.  There was no keeping it on my foot with any kind of regular gait.  So I started shuffling – maintaining contact between my feet and the ground at all times to keep from losing the dilapidated shoe all together.  But we didn’t have much time to buy our tickets and hit concessions (#priorities), so my husband requested that I just take the shoe off so I could move at normal speed.

 

I complied and picked up my sandal, walking across the asphalt with no protective barrier.  Yuck.  I held the shoe in my hand so that anyone who saw me would know I had a mishap and did not choose to come to a public place with only one (What?!?).  I don’t know.  There is really no good way to explain the inner workings of my mind.  We make our way inside the theater and I start wondering about that “No shoes, no service” rule.  Does it still apply if you are wearing at least one?  I digress.  We get our movie snacks and I am now forced to put my shoe in my purse so I can carry my drink and still hold Shelby’s hand and help her along.  To heck with appearances.  That battle is long lost.

 

Once inside our theater of choice, I help Shelby to her seat and set our tasty treats down before announcing to Chuck that I must empty my bladder before the movie starts.  I’m 45 and have a large Diet Coke.  There is no way.  I grabbed my raggedy shoe back out of my purse, but not for appearance sake this time.

The parking lot is one thing, the theater carpet is another, but there is NO WAY in Dallas, Texas in July (that’s pretty close to the temperature of hell), that I was stepping on a public bathroom floor without something covering the flesh of my foot.

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 So at the door of the ladies room, I threw that shoe down on the threshold and placed my now-dirty foot upon it to commence with the broken shoe shuffle into the stall and back.

 

Since God has been dealing with me on the issue of obedience, we are kinda in the middle of an accidental series on the topic (although last week’s post was not about obedience or the week before because I’m not that organized – but whatever).  I saw some correlations between my footwear escapades and obeying God.  I want to preface this by saying that I IN NO WAY believe God requires or even desires a works-based relationship with us.  He loves us and sent his Son Jesus to die as payment for our sins so that we can be in relationship with Him by believing in Jesus and His sacrificial death.  Because Jesus took the punishment for my sins before they even happen, they are all forgiven.  This is a huge load off my mind and something I am eternally grateful for, but it does not remove the responsibility of obedience from you or me.  “What shall we say, then?  Shall we go on sinning so that grace may increase?  By no means!  We are those who have died to sin; how can we live in it any longer?”  Romans 6:1-2 NIV  

 

 

Salvation is so much more than a get-out-of-hell-free card.  Once we are brought into relationship with God, we obey from a place of gratitude, and also from a place of trust.  Once we get to know Him, we understand that His guidelines lead to what is best for us and walking in them keeps us under the umbrella of His protection.  Look at these verses:

Observe what the Lord your God requires:  Walk in obedience to him, and keep his decrees and commands, his laws and regulations, as written in the law of Moses.  Do this so that you may prosper in all you do and wherever you go.  1 Kings 2:3 NIV

Keep the Book of the Law always on your lips; meditate on it day and night, so that you may be careful to do everything written in it.  Then you will be prosperous and successful.  Joshua 1:8 NIV

Blessed rather are those who hear the word of God and obey it.  Luke 11:28 NIV

But whoever looks intently into the perfect law that gives freedom, and continues in it – not forgetting what they have heard, but doing it – they will be blessed in what they do.    James 1:25 NIV

The Lord makes firm the steps of the one who delights in him.  Psalm 37:23 NIV

For he guards the course of the just and protects the way of his faithful ones.  Proverbs 2:8 NIV

 

If you are looking for a full-proof plan for your life here on earth to work out exactly as you wish, this is not it.  God never promises us material wealth, convenience or pain-free leisure.  But what He does want for us is abundant living, freedom from bondage and blessings we may never fully understand this side of heaven.  And it’s clear to me from scripture that obedience to Him is a key to unlock all of these things.

 

Walking through a public bathroom in my bare feet is like stepping into a new day in willful disobedience to God.  It’s unwise and leaves me vulnerable to more scum and filth than I care to imagine.  And while in this human body my obedience won’t be perfect (sometimes it will look more like the busted sandal shuffle than a victory lap), the effort to stand in God’s will and under His protection is worth it.

 

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And look up these great writers I link up with every week:

InstaEncouragements, Literacy Musing Mondays, Hello…Monday,

Dream Team link up, The Good. The Random. The Fun.

BloggerClubUK, Tea and Word Tuesday, Purposeful Faith,

GraceFull Tuesday Link-Up, Different Dream,

Let’s Have Coffee, Welcome Wednesday, Recharge Wednesday,

Worth Beyond Rubies, #TellHisStory Link Up, Porch Stories,

Encouraging Word Wednesday, Tune In Thursday,

Stories of Hope, Moments of Hope, IHeart Verse Link Party,

A Blogging Good Time, Fresh Market Friday, Feature Friday Time,

Friendship Friday Blog Hop, Faith on Fire, Traffic Jam Weekend,

Faith ‘n Friends, Dancing with Jesus, Grace & Truth, Booknificent

 

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Filed Under: Christian, Faith, obedience Tagged With: Dumbo, flip flop, movie, public bathroom, scripture, series

Comments

  1. Martha J Orlando says

    June 21, 2019 at 12:27 pm

    What a fantastic analogy, Lauren! Yes, our obedience to God may look like shuffling steps at times, but it’s mandatory that we make the effort.
    Blessings!

    Reply
    • Lauren says

      June 22, 2019 at 7:32 pm

      Yes, Martha. Perfectly stated.

      Reply
      • Sophie Holmes says

        June 24, 2019 at 7:45 pm

        Sorry your flip flop broke but amazed that you used it as an analogy to being obedient to God. #GlobalBlogging

        Reply
        • Lauren says

          June 25, 2019 at 3:54 pm

          Thank you Sophie. So happy you visited me here.

          Reply
  2. Linda Stoll says

    June 21, 2019 at 3:46 pm

    Lauren, hi! Don’t you just love how God gives us the perfect life illustrations to get across whatever message He wants us to absorb?

    Your post hit home today.

    P.S. I hope you got some fun new footwear in the process!

    ;-}

    Reply
    • Lauren says

      June 22, 2019 at 7:32 pm

      He always does. And no new shoes. My husband would say I have more than enough to break a few more!

      Reply
  3. Rebecca Jones says

    June 21, 2019 at 9:46 pm

    I just can’t can’t deal with flip flops, Lauren. Salvation is so much more than a get-out-of-hell-free card. Great thought.

    Reply
    • Lauren says

      June 22, 2019 at 7:31 pm

      Thank you, Rebecca.

      Reply
  4. Tea With Jennifer says

    June 22, 2019 at 4:04 am

    Lauren,
    I loved this post, I had a little giggle not at your plight but that I too have experienced a similar situation!

    Though my poor hubby’s experience was worse than mine, we were at my step daughter’s University graduation where everyone goes in their ‘dressie’ attire as we were walking to the Hall his entire sole detached from the upper part of his shoe in one fell swoop! He was not impressed 😉 He did the strange upper shoe/sock shuffle for the rest of the event & it had been raining!
    It teaches us how bound we are by social protocols when these things happen & how embarrassing they are! 😉
    Great post, bless you,
    Jennifer

    Reply
    • Lauren says

      June 22, 2019 at 7:29 pm

      Oh, the rain for your poor husband! It makes me happy to give you a giggle. Thank you, Jennifer.

      Reply
  5. Sylvia says

    June 22, 2019 at 5:36 am

    Lauren, I love this post so much. Life does seem like a busted sandal shuffle! I laughed at loud at your walking and holding that shoe. Thanks for sharing these good words. I needed it. I found you at the Friendship Friday Blog Hop 384

    Reply
    • Lauren says

      June 22, 2019 at 7:28 pm

      That I could bring a word you needed and a giggle to boot it a great compliment. Thank you, Sylvia!

      Reply
  6. Deb Wolf says

    June 22, 2019 at 9:14 pm

    This is so good! And you sentence – “a well-loved flip-flop flipped its last flop” … priceless! Thanks for sharing your story and for giving it the perfect message!

    Reply
    • Lauren says

      June 24, 2019 at 2:52 am

      Thank you, Deb. It was fun to write.

      Reply
  7. Alice V Walters says

    June 24, 2019 at 2:10 pm

    Dear Lauren, this is great! Don’t you love it when God chooses to speak to our hearts through something as crazy as a flip-flop blow-out? Thank you for the reminder that life in the Lord is about obedience that comes from a place of gratitude and trust. Blessings!

    Reply
    • Lauren says

      June 24, 2019 at 5:49 pm

      Thank you so much for visiting and reading, Alice.

      Reply
  8. Tammy L Kennington says

    June 26, 2019 at 2:45 pm

    You made me laugh and then drew me into a beautiful analogy, Lauren. I loved this reminder.

    “And while in this human body my obedience won’t be perfect (sometimes it will look more like the busted sandal shuffle than a victory lap), the effort to stand in God’s will and under His protection is worth it.”

    Whether we shuffle or run, following Him is worth it!

    Blessings,
    Tammy

    Reply
    • Lauren says

      June 27, 2019 at 12:33 pm

      Thanks so much, Tammy. I wish I could say all of God’s lessons were funny, but they are all worth the laugh/cry/work/effort/rest.

      Reply
  9. April J Harris says

    June 27, 2019 at 12:54 pm

    I’m sorry about your flip flop, Lauren, but what a fantastic analogy you have drawn here! Thank you for sharing this hopeful, helpful and encouraging post, and for being a part of the Hearth and Soul Link Party. I hope you are having a good week!

    Reply
    • Lauren says

      June 27, 2019 at 2:52 pm

      Thanks for being our gracious hostesss!

      Reply
  10. Rhonda says

    June 27, 2019 at 3:09 pm

    I love your style of writing. You inspire me.

    Reply
    • Lauren says

      June 27, 2019 at 5:49 pm

      That is so kind of you Rhonda. You have made my day. Thank you.

      Reply
  11. Debra Jean says

    June 27, 2019 at 5:53 pm

    I Love analogies, this was on point and humorous. I too struggle with obedience often, although, I hate the idea of walking in the yucky muck of disobedience. =( I tweeted and added “Salvation is so much more than a get-out-of-hell-free card.” Because I love that line, salvation is only the first step in the process of sanctification, often we want to forget that part. Thanks for sharing your thoughts and experience is such a real way. 8)

    Reply
    • Lauren says

      June 27, 2019 at 5:54 pm

      Thank you for your kind words, for letting me know I’m not the only one, and for sharing. I appreciate it more than you know.

      Reply
  12. Patsy Burnette says

    June 27, 2019 at 6:09 pm

    Lauren, I love how you make a spiritual connection to the everyday events of life! Well… I don’t guess a flip flop blowout is an everyday event exactly. Fortunately not! LOL Pinned.

    Thanks for linking up at InstaEncouragements!

    Reply
    • Lauren says

      June 29, 2019 at 2:00 am

      Thanks so much, Patsy. It was a fun piece to write.

      Reply
  13. Melinda McCray says

    June 27, 2019 at 6:41 pm

    I almost fell out of my desk chair when I read your tweet. Yes, our obedience is important to our Maker. However, I am so grateful that Jesus walked in perfect obedience while on earth so that when we fall His work catches us. Great post.
    I am stopping by from Dare to Hear. Be blessed.

    Reply
    • Lauren says

      June 29, 2019 at 2:01 am

      Such a great point, Melinda. Thank you for visiting.

      Reply
  14. Tina Truelove says

    June 28, 2019 at 11:12 pm

    You had me laughing but also caught up in your story of the importance of submitting in obedience. I love how God speaks to us sometimes in untimely and frustrating circumstances.

    “a well-loved flip-flop flipped it’s last flop.” LOL

    Reply
    • Lauren says

      June 29, 2019 at 2:02 am

      Thank you, Tina. It was a fun story to write. God is so sweet that He can teach us in trials and in tears of laughter.

      Reply
  15. Michele Bruxvoort says

    July 19, 2019 at 5:41 pm

    Walking in obedience is a challenge for me. I like to do my things my way. Thanks for sharing the “real” of your life.

    Reply
    • Lauren says

      July 19, 2019 at 7:44 pm

      We are alike in that, Michele. Thanks for sharing.

      Reply

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I love Jesus, my husband and caffeine. The order of these can change depending on how tired I am. When my two daughters, stepson, and 4 grandchildren get to be too much, I practice yoga. God graciously allows me to share our adventures, victories and flub-ups from my laptop. May He be glorified here.
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