Slippers on My Feet

At what age do moms stop dressing their children?

The last time I can remember my mom picking out a full outfit was in second grade. It was a yellow shirt (probably from JC Penny) and some stonewashed jean shorts.

I hated jean shorts because they weren’t comfortable. That is one trend I hope never comes back! The corduroys can come and go; heck, even bellbottoms can make a comeback, but I want jean shorts to stay away!

In 1992 I moved from Omaha, Nebraska to San Antonio, Texas. I went from the north were coke was “pop” and entered the republic of…

My elementary school had a bicycle rodeo! How stereotypical. But it was awesome! I loved riding bikes as a kid, and this was an opportunity to show off my skills.

In 4th grade the bicycle rodeo came around. It was my second rodeo and I had full intentions of winning this bad boy. But there was one thing that might hold me back… jean shorts! I hated those things, but my mom would still lay them out for me to wear. I think she had faith that I wouldn’t mess up picking out a shirt, but she wanted to have control over what pants I wore… I guess she knew too well that if she let me pick them out I would do just as I did.

She left for work about an hour before I took off to school on my bike. Once she was clear out of site I took the jean shorts, threw them in my closet and pulled out my Umbros. I don’t even know if that brand is still around, but they were comfortable light weight shorts for playing soccer or something.

Flannel was also in at the time. I liked the flannel shirt. So I was rocking some black athletic shorts with neon writing that read “umbro” with a red and black flannel shirt. I had no style. I dressed only for comfort.

I didn’t win the rodeo, but I did place! And it was probably due to my complete comfort while riding my bike.

I miss the days when comfort had the ability to override style.

Here’s the thing though, we still love to be comfortable. It may only be in the comfort of our own home with the blinds pulled shut… but there is nothing like a good pair of sweat pants with a ratted out old holey shirt that is considered inappropriate for public, and don’t forget to throw in the house slippers!

However, we must not let our faith become something that is out of style… something that we only show in the comfort of our own home when no one can see.

I have recently been reflecting on how uncomfortable our faith can be. Just the other day I was at a coffee shop and I felt the urge to go witness to a table of high school guys. I was busy studying, but every time I looked up to gather a thought I would see them and think I should go strike up a conversation.

But honestly that would have been uncomfortable. I kept thinking, “Well they look like good guys, I bet they go to a church down the street…” or “I would, but I don’t want to interrupt their conversation… it looks like it’s going pretty well.” The fact is that it would have been uncomfortable. How horrible is that?! I am a youth minister and I found myself making excuses not to witness.

Witnessing is uncomfortable almost ALL the time… but I think this is almost by design. Then we have to recognize that it is only by God’s power that we can fully proclaim His good news.

Then last Sunday during worship I noticed someone lift their hands, only to quickly put them down after every head and eye turned to see if they had a question or something. People are uncomfortable worshiping as the Spirit might lead them because it might seem out of the norm.

We become disgusted with the demoralization of society but then we are scared to influence it for the sake of comfort.

If we don’t break these walls and break out of the norm then we will continue to lose ground with our Christian influence and we will continue to have dull worship.

What are some areas of comfort you believe are holding back Christians?

It is my prayer and hope that these walls of comfort would continue to break down in my life and in the lives of others. Please join me in this destruction, and let’s see what lies on the other side. I’m willing to bet it is very beautiful and worthwhile!