These shoes represent a literal step of victory.

You see, I bought these shoes at my husband’s old workplace. I hadn’t stepped back inside since his last day. I just couldn’t do it.

And honestly, as I approached the doors after almost two years of avoiding it, I still didn’t think I could do it.

This place held deep hurt and heartache. Hurt and heartache I was still carrying, years later. And quite frankly, I wasn’t sure I wanted to do anything about it.

But hand in hand, literally, Sam and I walked in and headed over to the shoe section. And my eyes immediately filled with tears, my heart beating so fast I thought it was literally going to jump out of my chest.

I so badly wanted to leave. To bolt out the door and never, ever return.

But God was faithful to meet us there, and as the minutes went by, I was able to catch my breath again. And although I didn’t want to, I could hear the holy spirit gently whisper “lay it all down, Sky. It’s time.” And I knew it was.

So eventually, after plenty of internal fighting, I walked up to that counter with my sandals in tow and bought them from a store I swore I would never step foot in again.

It wasn’t easy. It wasn’t without pain and it wasn’t full of joy.
But it WAS full of release, closure, and forgiveness.
And I was so dang proud of us for facing such a hard thing together – as a team.

Life is hard and full of hurt, but I’m learning that the growth and strength that comes from our challenges is more than worth the pain of going through them.

And I am oh so thankful for the hope and healing that is always found in our faithful Father…not when we do what we want to do, but when we do what we need to do.

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