Shoes

I took the girls to Target today to buy them some new "fancy" shoes. My only requirement is that it have a strap so that the shoes, you know, actually stay on their feet at school.

Adelle tried on several pairs and found four pair that she liked, but nothing she loved. And then... she spotted these

She fell instantly and madly in love with them. I get it. They are very fancy and sparkly. A winning combination for a girl of any age, to be sure. But there's no strap. They would stay on her feet for two seconds and end up driving her and her teachers crazy. I just could not buy these for her.

I tried to break the news gently. Being my child, she immediately burst into tears begging for the shoes. After what felt like an eternity in the Target shoe department with every person in the store watching (but was likely no more than two minutes with a few empathetic moms near by), she took a deep breath and agreed to choose another pair. She already had four pairs picked out that she did like and chose one from the finalists.

In those moments of her crying, I was in agony. As a mother, I wanted to buy her those shoes. I wanted her to enjoy wearing those fancy shoes. But also as her mother, I could not buy them for her. They were not the right choice for school. But it hurt. Oh, it hurt. It hurt us both to walk away from those pretty black shoes.

As my Father, God knows what is best for me. I want the things that sparkle... the things that will make me happy (even if only for a moment). And yes, I bet God loves to see me happy. But He loves me too much to just hand me the things I want. Instead, He provides the things I need, though they don't always sparkle and shine. Such is the heart and true love of a parent.

And you know what? Adelle ended skipping out of Target thrilled to pieces about the shoes she did end up picking.

You know what else? I'm always happy and thankful when God doesn't give me most of what I want, but always gives me everything I need.

If you know my girls at all, you will not be surprised at all by what they did leave with.

Adelle (pink, of course)


Evie (and purple... naturally!)