Life Laces

I hit the button on my car keys.
I heard the familiar beep that lets me know the door is locked.
A little voice was coming from the parking space next to me.
This mom and I had the same idea.

We were going to the farmer’s market to find all sorts of fresh, organic food.
We were walking parallel to each other on opposite sides of the car.
Two little boys were accompanying her.
The oldest, obviously the line leader, had already reached the curb.

The youngest was struggling
He kept tripping on his laces.
His mom told him to turn around so she could tie them a bit tighter.
By now, the car between us was gone and I looked down.

He was wearing winter boots on this warm autumn day.
His jeans were all scrunched up above the boots making large puckers around his knees.
He dutifully held out his foot so she could tie the laces tighter.
I smiled at the sight and the memory.

The practical side of me asked the mental question, Aren’t your feet hot in those boots?
The mom side of me knew better than to even entertain the thought.
Favorite shoes are favorite shoes.
He was probably playing superheroes or cowboys all morning.

I looked at the mom as she was down on one knee doing what she did best: serving.
Serving those she loved with the simplest act.
Her body language said it all; she was bending down to help another.
It was her basin and towel ministry to her family.

What if we were like that precious little boy and wore winter boots on a warm, fall day?
What if we went out in our favorite shoes whether they matched our outfit or not?
What if we became more like a child and tripped on our laces from time to time?
What if we accepted the bended knee of another to help us?

None of us like to trip as we walk along.
I have done it many times.
Often the rubber soles of my shoes may stick a bit on a floor and catch me as I walk.
There is no way to gracefully recover from a clumsy tripping incident.

Inevitably someone sees you.
Inevitably it is someone you know.
You can blush your way through; you can pretend it was intentional.
You can laugh at your own clumsiness.

I prefer the latter.
I was bringing coins to one of those machines that you usually find in a grocery store.
When a particular little crock in my laundry room gets filled, it is time to cash in the coins.
It is amazing how much money you can accumulate just by saving loose change.

One rainy day, two of my daughters and I walked into the store with my container of coins.
I was wearing dress shoes that did not have traction like some of the other shoes I wear.
As soon as I got off the rug that was near the entrance, my foot slipped.
Down I went, and the whole container of coins scattered over the floor.

Slipping was bad enough but what made it worse was the sounds of the falling coins.
There was no denying the mishap.
It was like the announcement you always hear over the P.A. system: Clean up in aisle five.
I was not hurt, though my pride was a little bruised.

My girls and I picked up the coins.
I am sure there are still a few stuck under the counter of the customer service desk.
When my daughters knew that I was fine, we laughed.
I think back to their posture, bending down on one knee, serving their blushing mother.

We all need someone to tie our shoes from time to time.
To do the menial task that no one notices except for the grateful recipient.
No one else needs to know the little act of kindness and service that is done for another.
Whether it is tripping on boot laces or slipping in dress shoes really does not matter.

We are clumsy humans who need help from time to time.
We desperately need someone to reach out their hand, bend down, and serve.
Serve in the little things.
Tying the laces of life that we keep tripping on, over and over.

During the fourth watch of the night Jesus went out to them, walking on the lake. When the disciples saw Him walking on the lake, they were terrified. “It’s a ghost,” they said and cried out in fear. But Jesus immediately said to them: “Take courage! It is I. Don’t be afraid.” “Lord, if it’s You,” Peter replied, “Tell me to come to You on the water.” “Come.” He said. Then Peter got down out of the boat, walked on the water and came towards Jesus. But when he saw the wind, he was afraid and beginning to sink, cried out, “Lord save me!” Immediately, Jesus reached out His hand and caught him. “You of little faith,” He said, “why did you doubt?” And when they climbed into the boat, the wind died down. Then those who were in the boat worshiped Him, saying, “Truly You are the Son of God.” (Matthew 14:25-33)

When Jesus calls, we come.
Whether we sink, or trip, or need the laces of life tied, Jesus is there.
Jesus bends down in His basin and towel posture of serving and reaches out His hand.
When Jesus reaches out His hand, we are safe.

We are embarrassed, we are afraid of the waves, and we sink.
Slipping, tripping on our life laces, we stumble and fall.
We look up and see in the eyes of another, the eyes of Him.

Who can you bend down to help today?
Someone need their laces tied.