Think about it - you walk in the door on a messy, miserable day only to find…footprints. And if your home is anything like mine, this scenario probably plays out just after you’ve thoroughly cleaned the floors. I can almost hear you sighing in agreement….
Muddy, caked-into-the-carpet, gooey, messy footprints. Or wet, rainy, puddle-on-the-hardwood-floor footprints. Maybe they’re snowy, icy, cold, tracked-through-the-house footprints.
Whatever they are, you probably feel the frustration rise up in you and try to determine the guilty party. After all, don’t they know you’ve just cleaned? Who *didn’t* remember the rule about taking shoes off just inside the door when they’re a mess?
This week I am away with my family. We retreated to our favorite cabin up in the mountains for some very much needed rest and relaxation. This morning we woke up to snow! Okay, so really it’s tiny little snowflakes that won’t amount to much of anything but a few white clumps here and there. Still - it’s the first snow we’ve seen this season, so it’s definitely worth taking a few moments to savor.
I decided to put on my shoes and coat and go for a short walk. Despite the cold, I was out for a few minutes to enjoy the snow and the bitterly-cold wind blowing in my face. I walked down to the entrance of the campground and then back up again, basically in a circle. So on my way back to the cabin, I was able to see the footprints that I’d made in the walk down to the camp entrance.
Why is that significant?
Not too long ago, I was stuck. Life took some turns that I was not prepared for, that really knocked me down for the count. My marriage was in danger and the “what now” questions were flying fast and furious.
I spent two years hiding, healing, hoping that God truly knew what He was doing.
In those two years, God gave me hope, redemption, and this year He gave the word overcome.
My walk today, on New Year’s Day, signified the beginning of my year of overcoming.
You see, I noticed my footprints. I knew there wasn’t enough snow that I’d track anything back into the cabin, but I had been out in the world.
My footprint was proof that I had literally made an impact on my world.
And that’s what I want to do - whole-heartedly. On purpose. Intentionally.
Those footprints served a reminder to my heart that I have purpose - and so do you.
Sometimes we need the physical reminders that we have purpose. See, God will call us Home someday, but friends, today is NOT that day!
How do I know?
FOOTPRINTS!
If you can go outside and get your shoe dirty and leave a mark, then God has a purpose for you today. Yes, YOU. Yes, TODAY.
Maybe we need fresh perspective when those messes - like messy footprints - come into our home. The maker of that footprint still has a purpose. God has a reason for their life today - this very day!
Can I challenge you? And I’d love to actually hear back from you about this one!
Put on a pair of shoes.
Go walk in a little dirt or get the bottom of your shoes wet.
Leave a footprint somewhere.
Say, “God has a plan for MY LIFE - TODAY!”
If you’re really up for the challenge, come join us on Facebook and leave a picture of your footprint!
Your shoes will come clean, the bottoms of them will dry. You might not even remember the footprint challenge someday - and that’s okay!
The footprint challenge is for today - whatever day you happen to read this - to remind us that God has a purpose for us!
Are you up for the challenge?
Come on over to Facebook and share your footprint!
image source
Oh I love this reminder that we are here to leave Jesus’ mark on this world!! I love how you took something simple and brought Christ into it. He truly can be seen in all aspects of our lives.
Looking forward hearing how God helps you overcome this year.
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Becky, this is so profound! I love it, and I will take you up on your challenge. I call it LEGACY, and each of us are leaving one. You are a blessing, my friend.
Leah Adams recently posted…What’s New in 2016? Engage!
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Well done, friend! I will take you up on the challenge as well. I’m asking the Father to help me be more conscious of the footprints I leave, even in my own home, too. I’m so excited to see the work the Father is doing in you!
Jen 🙂
Jen recently posted…5 Methods for Setting Goals Rooted in Faith
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I know when my hubby walks in the house and tracks dirt on my floor, it’s so easy to jump all over him. 🙂 I try to keep it all in perspective and that it’s REALLY not a big deal because I have him here with me and I’m so grateful for that.
I’ll use this as a reminder for both my hubby’s and my purpose! God has been good to us!
Embracing the Lovely recently posted…Chocolate Caramel Pecan Bars
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Great perspective my friend. Love this. Made me think about some things. It’s not snowy or wet here but I’ll try to capture a footprint and post it to your FB page.
Starla Jimenez recently posted…My Word Theme for 2016
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