I have this pair of shoes that I love. I have worn them
all over multiple countries and states. They are casual and comfortable
and ratty
as could be. They have been glued several times – a testament to how much I
love them. No matter how bad their condition, I cannot bear to give them up.
They are my favorite pair and though I might try, no other pair will ever
replace them.
But I still love shoe shopping and am a firm believer
that one can never have too many shoes. There is so much variety and a fun new
pair of shoes can help change up your old wardrobe and make you feel confident,
classy, sexy, or stylish.
The problem with new shoes, however, is that they are
almost never as comfortable as your old ones. They can be stiff, often giving
you blisters. After you wear them a while it will get better, but there is an
awkward breaking
in period where you love them because they are new, but you hate
them because they hurt.
I think life is a lot like shoes. Home and family are like that old pair
of shoes. They have been with you through good and bad times and it may have
taken some extra effort to keep things together, but it’s worth it. It is
comfortable and natural and irreplaceable. When I am in Oregon, I feel like
I’ve slipped on that pair of my favorite shoes. It feels cozy and right.
Complications arise, but it’s familiar territory and I know how to deal with
it. Even the difficult things are easy in a way. But sometimes you still long
for something new.
Traveling is like finding a pair of new
shoes that you love. It’s exciting and exotic, and you can imagine endless
possibilities. Everything is an adventure and you’re eager to try it out.
Living abroad is like breaking in that new
pair of shoes. It has been long enough that you start to become uncomfortable.
Adventures can become frustrating as you realize that even easy tasks are
difficult. Things are still new and interesting, but it isn’t as perfect as you
once imagined. I love living in Korea. I am learning more about the world,
myself, and God. It is a great life. But it isn’t necessarily comfortable. It
can be both exciting and overwhelming, satisfying and infuriating. There are
waves of emotions both positive and negative.
Sometimes I want to run home to that old pair of shoes
where I can just relax. But I also love this new pair and I know that if I
tough it out through the breaking in they will become more comfortable too.
They can never replace those old favorites, but we can definitely have new
favorites too! I don’t know how long God has me in Korea, but I do know that
the discomfort is worth it and if I focus on the positive there are so many
things that I can enjoy. And if/when God moves me somewhere else me feet will
be toughened
and ready
to break in a new pair.
