i like your shoes

This past Sunday the good folks at Mount Vernon United Methodist worshipped on their front porch. They had planned a picnic and intended to worship on the front lawn, but the weather was a little “iffy”, so they moved the worship to the porch.

It was a wonderful worship experience. It was cloudy, but the air was cool and being outside for worship was delightful. Pastor Betsy preached on Luke 18:15-17, where Jesus says, “Suffer the little children to come to me and forbid them not.” At one point in the sermon, she talked about our preschool and how nice it is to be greeted by the children when she comes into the building. Not long ago, one little girl smiled at her and said, “I like your shoes!” There were smiles all around as Betsy told this simple story of affirmation.

This illustration reminded me of my own preschool shoe story. Last year, I was helping with the before care program when I noticed a child with a pair of dinosaur shoes. I asked if I could borrow them sometime and the kid said, “Oh Pasta Bort. Your feet are too big!”

Later that same morning a new student arrived for her first day of school. Her name was Iris, and she was wearing the most adorable purple shoes. They matched her purple dress, and the purple ribbon in her hair. When I said, “I like your shoes,” and asked if I could borrow them, she quickly said, “Yes.” I then asked if she thought they were too small for my big feet, and she said, “No.” She then took her shoes off and handed them to me.

These stories illustrate some of the things I love most about our preschool. Many of these students are quick to smile and say something positive. Like, “I like your shoes.” They are honest and say things like, “Your feet are too big!” And sometimes they will take off their shoes, even though they are a crucial accessory to their outfit, and hand them over to a stranger simply because they ask. The only question for me now is, “What am I going to wear with these purple shoes? There is nothing in my closet that will match them.”