One of the few downsides to pregnancy is that, for some of us, our feet get bigger. My podiatric result of two pregnancies: my already large feet grew one full size. I'm sportin' the 10s. Wearing my 9.5 running shoes was bad news for my little piggies when I started working out recently. Trying to train for my first 5K was not going to happen with those shoes. I tried running barefoot. I won't do that outdoors, too many unknowns on the ground that could damage my feet. And, it can be gross. So, I tried it on my treadmill. CAUTION: The belt on a treadmill gets hot after a few minutes making it difficult to complete a 30-minute barefoot walk. I tried walking in my flip-flops. (I know. That's a no-no.) I strained my pinky toes because I used them too much to grip my shoes. I decided to stick to barefoot barre workouts and to tough it out on the treadmill in my 9.5s as often as I could until I could buy new shoes.
I cannot stress enough the need for shoes that fit properly. When I tried on the size 10 Asics, which I now own, I was amazed by how great my feet felt. I'm all for being barefoot in the house or on lush green grass, but these shoes feel better than being barefoot. Yes, now I can run on the treadmill or outside whenever I want and know that I won't end up with crooked, cramped toes, among other things. But, I've also noticed improvements in my other workouts. I have much better form and alignment when I do my workout DVDs because I'm not thinking about my aching feet or trying not to grip the ground too hard with my poor little pinky toes. I don't have to worry about my feet because they're taken care of. I've entrusted them to a great shoe. One day, after a great workout/walk, it hit me.
God is like a great running shoe. Go with me on this.
I have better form, posture and alignment when I wear my shoes. I have a better attitude, outlook, and day when I'm doing life with God, rather than casually remembering Him when I put my kids to bed at night. When my feet are encased in a good shoe, they're safe and capable of helping me accomplish much more in a day than my bare feet alone. When my life is surrounded and sustained by God, when I allow Him to truly be Lord of my life, I am safe and capable of accomplishing so much more than I could on my own. It doesn't mean I'll never be hurt. It means I'll survive and learn and grow stronger and be able to help others heal from or avoid similar injuries. Some people would say that wearing shoes is like imprisonment. No freedom. Some would say the same about committing your life to Christ. No freedom. Too rigid and controlled. Closed-minded. In reality, Christianity is the best of both worlds. It's the security of running fully-shod knowing I can tackle any terrain no matter how thorny, muddy, rocky, steep, long, hard, dark. I can handle anything. I can do all things through Christ who gives me strength. It's also the freedom of running barefoot down a hill of lush, soft grass on a bright, clear spring day. Arms open wide. Laughing and screaming with joy all the way down. Exhilarating.
To those who say Christianity is just another form of captivity, I say you have no idea the freedom and life you're missing.
Amen sister!
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