Central Baptist Church of Westerly
16 Elm Street, Westerly, RI 02891
Phone: (401) 596-4929
Check out our blog at Central Baptist Life
16 Elm Street, Westerly, RI 02891
Phone: (401) 596-4929
Check out our blog at Central Baptist Life
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If the shoe fits....wear it!
November 25, 2020
Dear Friends,
I looked at her and said, "These fit. I think I will take
them." I was in the shoe store because I mentioned to
my wife, Lori, that I needed some new sneakers. My
old pair was starting to get a little "ratty." She gave
me that "I know you look" and said, "How do they fit?"
I said, "Really good. And they are on sale too!"
I confess that I am not good at picking out footwear, or
clothing in general. I have no sense of style. Growing
up poor, we always bought things on sale. We'd go to
Mr. Big's Department Store in Norwich or Railroad
Salvage in Groton to buy at a discount. When it came
to shoes, the price was more important than the size.
If my father could find a good looking pair, at a good
price, in my approximate size, we would buy them.
He'd say, "Don't worry. You'll grow into them." I always
did. I actually believed that the shoe would expand or
shrink to fit your foot. The shoes always seemed to feel
better after I wore them for a few days and the blisters
went away.
When Lori told me that I should pick a shoe by how it
feels several years ago, I didn't know any better. It sure
makes sense. It simply wasn't my experience. For years,
I wore shoes that didn't fit properly. I accepted it as
being normal. Today, I would never buy a pair of shoes
that didn't feel good when I tried them on no matter
what they cost.
Experience can be a good teacher but it sometimes
teaches the wrong message. My friends laugh and tell
stories about my frugality. They share about the time I
bought a shirt for $4.00 on a mission trip. I needed
something to wear for church. I had a problem though.
I had to suck in my stomach the whole time I was
preaching and I ended up popping a button.
Thankfully, I have learned to look for quality instead
of price alone. But old habits are hard to break. The
Apostle Paul deals with this in the seventh chapter of
his letter to the Romans. He confesses that he wants
to do what is right but he keeps stumbling and doing
what he hates. There is a battle raging within him and
he feels like he is losing.
At that moment, Paul looks outside of himself. He looks
up and sees hope in the person of Jesus. Paul then makes
this beautiful statement that acknowledges the fact that
chains can be broken and a fresh start made. He says,
"Who will rescue me from this body that is subject to
death? Thanks be to God, who delivers me through Jesus
Christ our Lord!"
Sometimes we feel we can't change, we can't help ourselves,
we can't break free from old habits. Maybe we can't on
our own. The Good News is that we are not alone. The
apostle reminds us that the same person who broke free
from the chains of death and destruction can help us
break free from the fetters of old habits.
In this season of Thanksgiving, look to him and live with
the quality of life that you were meant to live with. Don't
settle for a cheap imitation when you can have the real
thing. For Christ has already paid the price. Now claim
it and live it. If the shoe fits... go ahead and wear it.
God Bless! See you in church.
Cal
November 25, 2020
Dear Friends,
I looked at her and said, "These fit. I think I will take
them." I was in the shoe store because I mentioned to
my wife, Lori, that I needed some new sneakers. My
old pair was starting to get a little "ratty." She gave
me that "I know you look" and said, "How do they fit?"
I said, "Really good. And they are on sale too!"
I confess that I am not good at picking out footwear, or
clothing in general. I have no sense of style. Growing
up poor, we always bought things on sale. We'd go to
Mr. Big's Department Store in Norwich or Railroad
Salvage in Groton to buy at a discount. When it came
to shoes, the price was more important than the size.
If my father could find a good looking pair, at a good
price, in my approximate size, we would buy them.
He'd say, "Don't worry. You'll grow into them." I always
did. I actually believed that the shoe would expand or
shrink to fit your foot. The shoes always seemed to feel
better after I wore them for a few days and the blisters
went away.
When Lori told me that I should pick a shoe by how it
feels several years ago, I didn't know any better. It sure
makes sense. It simply wasn't my experience. For years,
I wore shoes that didn't fit properly. I accepted it as
being normal. Today, I would never buy a pair of shoes
that didn't feel good when I tried them on no matter
what they cost.
Experience can be a good teacher but it sometimes
teaches the wrong message. My friends laugh and tell
stories about my frugality. They share about the time I
bought a shirt for $4.00 on a mission trip. I needed
something to wear for church. I had a problem though.
I had to suck in my stomach the whole time I was
preaching and I ended up popping a button.
Thankfully, I have learned to look for quality instead
of price alone. But old habits are hard to break. The
Apostle Paul deals with this in the seventh chapter of
his letter to the Romans. He confesses that he wants
to do what is right but he keeps stumbling and doing
what he hates. There is a battle raging within him and
he feels like he is losing.
At that moment, Paul looks outside of himself. He looks
up and sees hope in the person of Jesus. Paul then makes
this beautiful statement that acknowledges the fact that
chains can be broken and a fresh start made. He says,
"Who will rescue me from this body that is subject to
death? Thanks be to God, who delivers me through Jesus
Christ our Lord!"
Sometimes we feel we can't change, we can't help ourselves,
we can't break free from old habits. Maybe we can't on
our own. The Good News is that we are not alone. The
apostle reminds us that the same person who broke free
from the chains of death and destruction can help us
break free from the fetters of old habits.
In this season of Thanksgiving, look to him and live with
the quality of life that you were meant to live with. Don't
settle for a cheap imitation when you can have the real
thing. For Christ has already paid the price. Now claim
it and live it. If the shoe fits... go ahead and wear it.
God Bless! See you in church.
Cal
| Pastor Cal Lord's Weekly Epistle |
| Pastor Cal's Weekly Epistle Every week Pastor Cal writes a weekly column for the Spirit Page of the Norwich Bulletin. He also sends it out to members and friends of the church via e-mail. E-mail him at calstigers@gmail.com if you want to be added to the weekly list. |
| Archived Epistles |