Yesterday, I looked down at my shoes as I sat in my wheelchair. My mind was drawn to the memories as a young boy before and after polio. Memories of my mother tying my shoelaces almost every day until I married Dorothy when I was 23. At age six I had just learned to do that myself. I was almost a big boy. Then, polio took that away from me for the rest of my life.
Without complaint, Mom sat on the floor in front of me before breakfast each day. She put on my socks. Slipped my feet into my shoes. Then, tied the shoelaces with care. This daily ritual said to me without a word from her lips, “There you go my son. Now, you are ready to step forward and tackle what comes your way today.”
After our wedding, my bride, Dorothy, took over the daily ritual of Mom tying my shoelaces. Like my Mom, for more than twice as many years, Dorothy has done daily what Mom did without complaint to make sure I am ready for wherever my walk of faith takes me.
Two extraordinary women. One man receiving the same dependable daily care from two women who’ve loved him. Two women I have never taken for granted. I will remember such gifts of God’s grace until I can remember no more.
From tied shoelaces, I received God’s good graces.
Mom died eleven years ago. At my age as a grown man, it seems silly to wish Mom could show up some morning to tie my shoes again. But, today that is my wish.
How many of you remember your mom or dad doing something daily for you which warms your heart now? The warmth of that kindness, love, and care never fades. God sends to all of us His good graces in such simple, ordinary and loving gifts in our lives.
God has spoken to us in Scripture about His grace and each of us being acts of His grace in service to others.
1 Peter 4:10
As each has received a gift, use it to serve one another, as good stewards of God’s varied grace.
Colossians 3:12
Put on then, as God’s chosen ones, holy and beloved, compassionate hearts, kindness, humility, meekness, and patience.
Dear God, in prayer I thank you for the many acts of Your grace I have received from those who have loved me as You have loved me.
God, please help me see the gifts of Your grace given me in the simple, the ordinary, and the daily deeds of others.
God, please show me ways to be kind to others in order to share and magnify Your glory and grace in Your Kingdom on Earth. Amen
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Jack H. Emmott is a Senior Counsel of Gray, Reed & McGraw, LLP, a 145-lawyer full-service firm in Houston, Dallas, and Waco, Texas, a Board-Certified Family Law and Master Credentialed Collaborative Law Professional Divorce Attorney, Mediator, Author, Entrepreneur, and Inspirational Speaker. For more information about Jack or his latest book, “Bending Angels: Living Messengers of God’s Love”, go to www.BendingAngel.com website.
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