Jeweled Chicken Sandals

“Mom, I fed the chickens. Here’s your sandals back,” my daughter said.

“Back?” I tried to hide my dismay, “You wore the jeweled ones?” The odor rising from the pleather revealed the answer.

“I just borrowed them quick.”

I glanced at my jeweled sandals. As pretty as they were, they now had a designated purpose. I would use them when I fetched eggs or cared for my hens. My jeweled sandals were now the purtiest’ chicken sandals I’d ever owned. They stank. Bad stank. Invading the kitchen stank. I dropped the sandals outside, closed the door, and blew my nose.

As unusual as it may seem, I knew my daughter’s quick grab happened for a purpose. It reminded me I am called to holiness. The Apostle Paul writes,

“But ye are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, an holy nation, a peculiar people; that ye should shew forth the praises of him who hath called you out of darkness into his marvelous light. (1 Peter 2:9 KJV)”

This verse reminds me that in the spiritual realm I am called to keep out of the chicken coop. But there’s more...

Because I’ve been trapped in the coop before, this reminds me to help my friends. We need each other. When I think of how often I’ve gotten trapped inside the coop, and proceeded to walk wherever I willed until someone extended a hand of mercy to me, this makes it easy to extend a helping hand. 1 Peter 2:10 reads,

“Which in time past were not a people, but are now the people of God: which had not obtained mercy, but now have obtained mercy. (KJV)”

God puts us in a spiritual family, and I choose to be available when my friends are needing prayer, a hand up, or just a listening ear so they can work through a chicken coop situation.

The Bible is infallible. Every answer is in the Book. But I am called to have more than head-knowledge — I am called to have a vital relationship with my Lord Jesus Christ. As I cultivate a relationship with Jesus, I become like Him. As I spend this time with Him, He tucks the gift of love inside my person.

I’ll never arrive, this side of heaven, even though I want to be completely holy. But I know every moment I spend with my Jesus is cleansing. He is the One I can count on to create in me the holiness I desire as I rest in His presence, read and meditate on His Word, and receive His love. I cherish these times with my Lord.

Every time I wear my jeweled chicken sandals, I’ll be reminded of three spiritual truths: 

1. I am called to stay out of the coop, 
2. I need to be available to rescue friends who are in the coop, and
3. I am my best self when I maintain a vital relationship with Jesus.

Father God, help me to live a life that is pleasing to You by following Christ.

Copyright © 2019 Diane Virginia, used with permission.