The Parable of the Stinky Shoes and Other Insites of a Mother

We have stinky shoes at our house!  Lots and lots of them.  We have so many of them around here that I've often wondered if anyone else suffers from this same fate.  When Jesus taught people he often used parables and since today is Sunday and because we went to church I thought it would be appropriate to share what has gone through my mind today, smelly shoes and all.

Here is the story of how shoes work around here.  We buy brand new (nice smelling) shoes for the kids and then we give them "the talk" about how they need to take care of them.  They must ALWAYS wear socks with them.  They must NEVER leave them out in the yard or at a friends house and then we follow that up with, "If you don't take care of them, you will have to buy the next ones".  Sure!  Very funny!  They look at us with eyes full of gratitude, give big hugs and they proceed to take really good care of them for...about...1 week!!  Well, at least we get a hug out of the deal.

Here is where my parable starts.

Just when I think I can't stand the messes, the smells, the noise, the broken things, Oh, and did I mention the MESSES, something in my head asks the question, "Would you be happier alone?"  Okay, trick question!!  No really, would I be happier alone? 

I believe this is Heavenly Fathers way of gently snapping me back into line and giving my soul some much needed perspective.  You see, if I wasn't surrounded by smelly shoes, I wouldn't have my family.  If the kids didn't leave messes all over the place, I wouldn't be reminded that I have a family.  I have often been reminded of how happy I have been to be able to watch our kids at their sporting events.  I had this discussion with Amanda just the other day.   My kids have way more courage and guts then I ever did!!  But I'd like to think that I make a pretty good cheerleader for them :)

What happens when kids play sports?  They get smelly shoes!  What happens when kids run and play outside, sometimes even splashing in puddles?  They get smelly shoes!    Each pair has a story.  Sometimes a long and inspiring story like Amanda's volleyball shoes or the boots that Sarah wore for the pioneer trek.  Sometimes they are a reminder of when one of the kids had courage to try something new like Becca's softball cleats.  Or they can represent a time of great growth like any of Jeffrey's size 12+ shoes.  Sometimes they can be a reminder of care free times like the flip flops that are worn during the summer or the 5 inch stiletto heals that were worn to a homecoming dance.  They can be very large boots that Dave has used to tromp around in what remains of a fire scene or they can be silly sock slippers that have ridiculous characters on them.  It really doesn't matter what they look like or smell like.  That is what Fabreeze is for!

So, for me, the messes and smelly shoes represent my beautiful family.  They represent all of the things that my kids have done and what they have become.  They remind me of how blessed I am and how rich my life is for having their lives intertwine with mine.  Family is a messy, and sometimes stinky business but I wouldn't trade it for the world.