God can use anything for His glory. And I do mean anything.
Last week He used my fuzzy socks. Sounds kind of ridiculous right? But in reality it is so much deeper than we could imagine.
On Monday nights at our church we have a ladies group called Overcomers. I have not been as faithful in going as I should have (part of my recent numbness). And my heart could have used it, to be completely honest. I love those women, I love that group. Anyway I recently started attending Monday nights again. Last week was especially touching.
My brother-in-law tagged me in a post on Facebook Monday evening, not too much before Bible study time. No explanation from him other than my name. When I read the post, it was a lady inquiring about our Monday nights. I didn’t know her, never talked to her, had never even heard her name. I could have easily not reached out. Its easy to hide behind social media isn’t it? No one sees that. Well, no one except God. But I didn’t feel that way. I wanted to reach out. So, we (God and I) took the bold step and messaged her. After some short conversation she was thinking she could make it. WHOOP WHOOP! Go God!
As I got ready for Bible study I thought, I do not want to wear shoes. I really just want to wear my fuzzy socks. But what kind of judgement would that bring, not wearing my shoes in church??? So, I got up to get my shoes. But as I walked out of the kitchen I heard a mighty whisper, “What makes you approachable and real, child?” I stopped, not knowing how to respond. I knew that Voice. I knew the meaning behind it. I knew that God works in the small things. So awkwardly and obediently I grabbed my socks and I went to church. In jeans, a sweater, and the very socks you see photographed above.
For visual purposes, let me elaborate on these socks. They are my favorite pair. They have holes in the bottom from walking outside to check the mail or out on the back patio. They likely have German Shepherd hair imbedded in them because….well if you’ve had a German Shepherd you know about their hair. It is barbed or something. It sticks to everything and never goes away. Basically these socks are tattered from being well-loved. So it really adds to the level of awkwardness. I mean Noah built an ark out of obedience…and these were just socks. So…I guess I have nothing on Noah and experiencing awkwardness.
I walked into the room, wondering what those put-together women thought of my ridiculous socks (this from the one who considers a bathrobe work-from-home attire and still gets anxiety at the thought of judgement from others). Mind you, I know these women are NOT in any way judgmental, and a lot of times my fear of judgement stems from my own insecurities. Yet I felt that way nonetheless. Anyway, I walked in and the woman I had spoken with had not arrived yet. I wondered if maybe she had changed her mind. And I was at church. In these socks. Comfortable as my feet were, I wanted to sit on my feet and hide them (remind me to talk about feelings of inadequacy in a future post).
After some time, my soon-to-be blessing showed up with her kiddos. She put the kids in the nursery and sat down next to me. She knew no one in that group. She only knew me by my profile picture and that’s it. Yet she came. I could talk about boldness all day and I’d talk about her, but I will leave that for her testimony. Anyway, she sat down. She listened to the lesson and gave her input. She asked for prayer. But do you know what she did before that?? SHE COMMENTED ON MY SOCKS. This could be counted as completely and utterly insignificant if I hadn’t had an earlier conversation with the Lord. Let’s be real here, who walks into a room and thinks, I am gonna sit next to the weirdo with the fuzzy socks on? Apparently she did. If I hadn’t been obedient, if I hadn’t listened to God and not been real, how would have things unfolded then? I don’t want to know. Yes, its only a pair of fuzzy, tattered socks. Yet it was an icebreaker for deeper conversation.
BUT ITS ONLY A PAIR OF SOCKS.
Here is where the real blessing comes in. The socks offered a realness. So real that we exchanged phone numbers, have talked almost daily, and are planning a coffee date. I want to hear her story. She is a new believer, and I mean new. Its awesome. God has blessed me thus far through her. I have been able to see His power, His mercy, and His grace all in the span of a week. All because I chose obedience. At God’s nudging I chose to reach out and I chose to wear fuzzy socks.
If I had not been obedient, I would have hid behind social media. If I had not been obedient I would have worn shoes like a “normal person.” But I need to remember that God works through our uniqueness and our obedience. That’s what it means to be set apart. Even in the small things. Really small things. Really insignificant things. Like fuzzy socks. How do we relate to others if we are all put together all the time? If we can’t share real-time testimony? We have to be real. And approachable. And sometimes messy. And without fear of judgement of others. The strength to do this is through obedience. God gives us what we need, when we need it.
Like those divine socks. I will forever be grateful.
1 Peter 3:15 But in your hearts honor Christ the Lord as holy, always being prepared to make a defense to anyone who asks you for a reason for the hope that is in you; yet do it with gentleness and respect…
feed yourself, girl 