Been doing a lot of walking around here…In. My. Own. Shoes.

Yesterday, I read this message:

Now the question that I would pose is this…how comfortable are his shoes? I think I will stick with mine.

Lately, I have been spending some time walking in my own shoes…or processing my own stuff. Recently, I was pouting sharing with a friend about someone who usually steps on my toes when I encounter them. This person has a quick “sassy” comebacks to what seems like, everything I say. I feel like they are being critical of me and I am not even sure they even know it.

My toes have been stepped on…and it hurts.

It takes me back to a time in my life when I thought I had to defend everything I thought…said…and did to gain validation. I no longer try to walk in THOSE shoes.

I have laid those times down and don’t like it when I have to revisit them. {Even though I know it is good for me to do.}

As I was talking with this friend, she could totally relate; she also had experienced this same situation too. She asked a very poignant question that I have spent some time thinking about lately. How do I approach these type of people with these feelings without being judgmental? Or how do I even pray for them without being judgmental? {God knows my heart!}

I confessed to her that this one was a hard one for me. I needed to first begin pray and make sure MY heart is reflecting Jesus. Most times my prayers do not. This step could take QUITE a while to process. I was going to be accountable for my heart one day with Jesus – not theirs.

{insert disclaimer…just because I shared with her this great wisdom does not mean I always use it! I am a work in progress!}

Sometimes, It’s important to realize that these “toe stepping people” may be dealing with something that is causing them to react that way. They have a past too. {We all do!}

The shoes that they are walking in may look different from mine. That is because their baggage is different.

Maybe, they haven’t taken the time to unpacked some of their baggage. {in other words, dealing with it head on!}

As God changes my heart – I notice my posture changes…instead of being bowed up (thinking I am justified) – I end up getting down on my hands and knees (sucking in the fibers of the carpet) and praying for God to give me wisdom – daily. Especially, before I retaliate.

There are times when something makes TOTAL sense to me, but it doesn’t to the other person. I pray that God will bring revelation to both of our hearts.

Sometimes, I think I am the only one to see the wisdom in a certain situation. God has gently reminded me that I am His servant and he may allow me to see those things so that I can offer that situation up to God in prayer. He uses us like that, you know? It’s called intercession.

It may not even be my job to confront this person with how their words hurt me. This sounds a lot like how marriage works. There are many days when my husband and I are working through decisions that he will see the wisdom of going one way and I see it as making total sense to go differently. Other times it is reversed…but not much! *smile*

Because I ask for wisdom daily doesn’t mean I use it all the time, but God has been working with me on this…in other words…know when to respond when they step on your toes.

Here are some of God’s words that have helped me see things a little more clearly.

James 1:5 “If you need wisdom, ask our generous God, and he will give it to you. He will not rebuke you for asking.”

Proverbs 3:2 “Cry out for insight, and ask for understanding.”

<strong>James 5:16 “Confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you may be healed. The earnest prayer of a righteous person has great power and produces wonderful results.”

During these prayers I ask God to show me supernaturally how to pray for this person. They may feel threatened or insecure. They may be even intimidated or overwhelmed.

Lastly, I realized recently something that was freeing for me.

* It is not up to me to put their stuff in my wagon, nor fix it. I am called to pray for them though…with love in my heart!
* I get my validation from Jesus…not others. I only need to seek God’s acceptance.
* God DOES call me to pray for those people walking in THOSE shoes. They could very easily be the shoes I am wearing tomorrow!

Lord, deliver me from things in my heart that hinder my purpose in you. Bring revelation and healing where I sometimes need it. Help me to draw on your grace daily as I become your hands and feet to a hurting world. Help me to realize that I need it the most!

~ Photo credit – ME!

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Following with Multitudes on Monday’s and listing the gifts I am thankful for today {from 10,000 gifts by Ann Voscamp}

#10 – that I have new walking shoes
#11 – my family’s gift to me of them pulling weeds in my garden
#12 – a fun night with good friends
#13 – an incredible new church family
#14 – surprises that God gives un-expectantly
#15 – a good rain last night
#16 – hanging pictures with my mom
#17 – snuggling up in the bed with my girls watching movies
#18 – flying kites and seeing Shiloh smile
#19 – knowing when God asks us to make difficult decisions – He takes care of the rest!
#20 – singing my favorite song in church Sunday!