The other day I decided to treat myself to something I had been saving for a long time - a new pair of socks.

Some time ago after making a large new sock purchase, I buried away in the back of a drawer a nice black pair - still embraced by their sticky band paper. My theory behind this action was that that someday, either if I was out of clean black socks or wanted a fresh, snug new pair for the day, I could just delve into my stash and voilá!

So on the day when I retrieved the above mentioned sock treasure, you can imagine the anticipation and sheer "sock glee" that was mine as I removed the factory wrapping off of my time-capsuled hosiery. I guess it had been quite a while since I purchased those socks because it soon became apparent that the only part of my feet that were going to get in them were my toes. Darn! They are now keeping my wife's feet warm.

Many times in our walks with Christ, we are blessed by having people come into our lives. Whether a new person moving into our neighbourhood, a hurting person at work confiding in us, or a classmate sitting in the desk next to us, God has wonderful plans in bringing both us and them together. And let's not forget the many more personal relationships we have as well. God calls us to love our spouses, teach our children, honour our parents, and be faithful longtime friends.

However, it can be tempting to take the people God has brought into our lives and bury them under a drawer full of hobbies, television, computer activity (ouch!) and career aspirations. Nobody ever does so with the plan that these people will be buried for years. Neither do they expect that time will fly by and that those God has brought close to them will grow up, or even grow away from them.

Those who put away people in pursuit of things, risk, and perhaps must surely expect, bitter disappointment when they turn for comfort to those they have stored away too long.

Wear your socks when they are new.

Pastor Tim Davis, Copyright 2006
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Pastor Tim has retired from pastoring local churches and is now working alongside his wife to help refugees and persecuted Christians.

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