Give Shoes!

As I was pondering one of our church giving activities tomorrow, the giving of shoes for Shoes for Orphan Souls, I could not help but think of Katie Davis!  When I read her book, Kisses from Katie, I remember her sharing the poor foot conditions that exist among the children of Uganda where she lives and serves.  Some of her descriptions were quite vivid, even disgusting!   All for the lack of shoes.  

I really don't have as many shoes as I used to.  I decided to do an inventory - one pair of tennis shoes, two pair of sperrys,  one pair of nice casual shoes, one pair of lace up dress shoes, two pair of slip on dress shoes, one pair of work shoes, two pair of work boots, one pair of slip on beach shoes and one pair of bedroom shoes.  That is 12 pairs of shoes for me!  Actually, in doing the inventory, the pair of nice casual shoes were pushed back to the wall of the closet. They are nearly new and I had forgotten that I had them.   

So, I have 12 pair of shoes! I don't know how that compares to other folks.  I used to have lots of old tennis shoes - but have thrown most of those away.  I guess I could let myself feel guilty about it - but I don't.  But I do have fresh information and a fresh determination to consider that if I am going to have 12 pairs of shoes, I should make sure that I find a way to put shoes on the feet of those who have none. 

At our church tomorrow (July 7) we are going to give shoes through an organization called Shoes for Orphan Souls!  From everything that I can tell about it, it is a solid organization.  I am looking forward to this act of giving in and through our church.

But, it has left me thinking a bit more.  If we are not careful, we can institutionalize ALL our giving!  While it will meet needs, it still leaves us separated from the need. We are not personally seeing the dirty feet, the diseased feet, the hurting feet! We are giving and others do that hard part!

I am challenging myself to look around more this year for the truly hurting family - the family that does not how they will buy shoes - that need clothes - food - etc. - the family that I can see - talk to - and to whom I can demonstrate the love of Christ up close and personal.  

I'm not saying to abandon organizations like Shoes for Orphan Souls, just that we should also make sure we don't avoid all personal contact with those in need while using proxies to do it for us!