“Snow Sandals”
When we returned Stateside from living overseas in Kenya, we arrived at the peak of summer. So, weather-wise, it was no big transition for our kiddos to continue wearing shorts, t-shirts, and flip flops, which was their typical, daily “uniform.”
Granted, everything they owned was discolored from playing in red-clay dirt (no amount of washing could get that out of their clothes), too small, or out-dated in style; but, at least it was seasonal.
For their sakes, we picked up a few new items that were cleaner, fit better, and were a bit more culturally acceptable. However, when school started in the fall, and as temperatures began to drop, and drop, more and more; while, the girls switched to jeans, sweaters and boots, our son stuck to the shorts, t-shirts, and flip flops (especially, the flip flops).
I figured that would change as soon as the snow began to fly. Surely, his feet would get cold enough that he’d opt for long pants, socks, and, at least, some sneakers.
Nope.
His feet weren’t made for shoes, unless they were basketball shoes meant to be worn on a court.
My African-hearted, American son wore his flip flops throughout the cold winter (every snowy day), into spring, and back into summer, once more.
Apparently, his were all-weather-flip-flops.
His siblings, his friends, and I think even some of his teachers, began calling them Adam’s “snow sandals.”
While we have had good laughs over his non-conformity to the ways of his Colorado home; there are a couple of spiritual lessons hidden behind Adam’s shoes of choice:
1) We are strangers to this world. For most kids who grow up overseas, the word “home” is a relative term. Is it their passport country? Is it the country where their parents serve? Is it somewhere in between? One year, in our dorm, we had a young man whose mom was Swiss, dad – German, and he (mostly) grew up on the continent of Africa. He spoke five languages and was learning his sixth while at RVA. When we asked him where he called home, he thought for a moment, then replied, “America. Now, I’ve never been there, but I’ve gone to school with primarily American faculty, staff, and students, and think this culture fits best.” Adam, as did our girls, grew up to be a mixture of America-culture and Africa-culture. They weren’t exactly a “fit” anywhere.
As Jesus-followers, we are going to be strangers in this world, no matter where we live. We’re a little bit the current culture where our sandals are planted; and a little bit other places we’ve made our home. BUT, these places are temporary. Our “home” is heaven…we’ve not been there yet, but the culture of the folks we hang around with (other Jesus believers) seems to”fit.” Heaven is our home; and, that is where we are to fix our eyes.
Don’t conform to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind (Romans 12:2). Set your minds on things that are above not on things that are on earth. For you have died, and your life is hidden with Christ in God (Colossians 3:2). So, don’t love the world or anything that is in it…For all that is in the world – the desires of the flesh and the desires of the eyes and the pride of life – is not from the Father, but is from the world. It is passing away along with its desires, but whoever does the will of God abides forever (1 John 2:15-17).
2) We aren’t to get too comfortable outside our heavenly home. We can try all we want to do what the world does, teach what the world teaches, twist God’s words to say what the world wants to hear, and, then, talk like the world talks, dress like the world dresses…”conform to the pattern of this world” as best we can. BUT, the Lord urges us, don’t get comfortable in this world. Be OK with being a different, peculiar people, consider yourselves exiles. Remind one another daily, not to cozy up too much to the world’s way of doing things. It’s not only OK, it’s better to be pilgrims that aren’t just cookie cutter images of the ways of the world in which we live.
I’ve been journeying through the first letter the Lord’s disciple, Peter, wrote to those who prefer snow sandals to boots in the dead of winter. His encouragement is clear:
…you have been born again to a LIVING HOPE…to an inheritance that is imperishable, undefiled and unfading, being kept in heaven for you… You are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a peculiar people, that you may PROCLAIM the excellencies of him who called you out of darkness into his marvelous light. So, Beloved, I urge you as sojourners and exiles to refrain from those desires that wage war with your soul. Keep your conduct honorable, so that when the Gentiles look at you, they see your good deeds and GLORIFY GOD. (1 Peter 1:3-4; 2:9, 11-12; emphasis mine)
So, if you’ve already put your flip flops away for winter, get ’em out, dust ’em off, and wear them as a reminder:
