Beautiful are the feet

Today I had the pleasure of attending my church's Indian Fellowship, a gathering of folks from India or who are interested in India.  We ate some delicious Indian food made by the ladies in the group, sang worship songs in Telugu (a language of south India), and then I was pleasantly surprised at the topic of today's gathering...my departure for India next month.  Pastor Brian asked me to tell everyone a little about this trip and what it is all about.  Everyone then prayed for me, blessing me with beautiful words and a strong sense of the Holy Spirit flowing through their hands.

One of my prayers is that God would heal my feet, knees, and back so they will not distract me from my ministry to elderly women while I am there.  I have been having aching knees lately because of my fallen arches.  My feet rotate in more than they should and it is causing my left knee some issues, which I know will lead to back issues.  I'm 26 years old and definitely not ready for knee and back problems yet... I also asked that God would give me wisdom to know what shoes to spend money on.  I will be walking a lot in India and am finding out I need orthopedic shoes with arch support.  Well, these shoes are not cheap.  They are at least $100, which may not be much to some people, but that is more than I've ever paid for any article of clothing.

After prayer, some of the women gave me their contact information and even some contacts in India if I need some help while I am out there. Everyone was so sweet and wonderful.

Then, I was pulled to the side and informed that my shoes would be taken care of financially. I just have to go get them and I will be reimbursed! Praise the Lord!

So, of course, I head straight to the store where I had found the best pair.  I had been doing some research and shopping around trying to find these orthopedic shoes that I could wear in monsoon season in Kolkata, so I already knew the one that was going to work the best. I went in, tried on the shoes again just to be sure, and put them on the counter to buy.


I then noticed a sign on the wall that said "40% off with purchase of regular priced shoes."  Well, I figured if there was another pair of orthopedic shoes I could get for India, I should get them.  I tried on the one waterproof sandal there, but decided I didn't want to pay the extra money for it.

"Are you going to get that one?" The sales clerk asked.

"No. I don't think I will today." I replied.

"But it's free!" he said.

"It's 40% off..." I replied, confused.

"Are you a teacher?" he asked.

Now I was even more confused. Did he just randomly pick a profession, or do I just have that "teacher" look?

"Yes, I am." I replied.

"Didn't you see the sign out front?  Since it's teacher appreciation week, every teacher gets a free $40 gift with every purchase.  Those shoes right there you were trying on are $45.  Those will be totally free for you."



So, that is how God blessed me with two pairs of orthopedic shoes. He is so good to me.

"How beautiful on the mountains are the feet of the messenger who brings good news, the good news of peace and salvation, the news that the God of Israel reigns!" Isaiah 52:7