It was a hectic morning. I had to attend an all-day meeting with several top executives. I was already nervous because I had to present. It didn’t matter how many times I presented, nine times out of ten I got nervous until I was about five or ten minutes into the presentation. Then the jitters dissipated... until next time.
Anyhow, back then my day typically started at five in the morning because at the time the kids were in school, and their buses came quite early. We would leave the house before the sun came up, and the sun would typically start its ascent as I drove to work. On this day, I arrived at work, and as I stepped out of the car, into the sun, and looked down at my feet, to my shock and dismay I had two different color shoes on. The same style shoe but one was black and the other dark, dark blue. I thought this could not be happening. I knew I didn’t have enough time to go home and change and I didn’t have another pair of shoes to slip into. So, I hurried to my office and sat there in a near panic. I have to share one more fact so you can appreciate what happened next. At this time in banking there were very few female executives, and typically I might have been the only female in meetings of this nature. This day was no exception. When the executive assistant came in I asked her if my ‘mismatched feet apparel’ for the day was noticeable. Her answer was horrifying. I still remember it to this day. She said, “Honey, do you think any of these men in here ever notice your shoes?” She actually said something slightly different but this response pretty much sums up the point. We both laughed but inside I thought I would die. So, now, with skepticism planted in my bosom I could barely think straight, let alone present. Long story short, she was right. No one ever noticed my shoe shambles. Not once throughout the day. Believe you me I would have known if they had noticed. I would have been able to read their body language, if not the expression on their face. You know what though? The amazing part of all of this is that God used this awkward encounter as a teaching moment so many years later. See, recently I was out buying sandals and while in the store a pair of sandals seemed to call my name. Actually, two pair. The sandals were identical and came in both black and dark blue. As I glanced over at the sandals, I had an instant flashback to my ‘mismatched feet apparel’ day. I laughed as I suddenly realized the day really wasn’t all that catastrophic in the grand scheme of things. In fact, in the end, wearing two different color shoes was a non-event. But, at that time, to me, my life was doomed. Shuffling along. Eyes to the ground. Absorbed with the thing right in front of me. So focused on looking down I forgot to look up. Therein lies the answer. Change your perspective. Look up. Flip flop your focus. Be Strengthened and Encouraged in HIM, Liz Set your mind on things above… Colossians 3:2 NIV Comments are closed.
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Hey There! I'm LizFounder of Ezra728 with a purpose of creating inspiring messages to strengthen and encourage primarily us gals across the globe. Guys, don't fret. You are definitely welcome, too. Archives
March 2021
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