Just Step In Their Shoes

I carry the title of Mom very proudly. I have been privileged to raise the six finest humans I know (sorry, I am a bit biased!).

Oh, and yes, you did hear that correctly, I said six. I do not repeat the number to boast in any way; if anything, it is a reminder to myself to never lose sight of just how blessed I have been.

Oftentimes, when someone becomes aware that I have that many kiddos, their first response is to ask me, what is the secret to being a good parent? Over time, that answer has morphed, from really good coffee, to patience, to more good coffee, to an amazing support group – all still great ideas and vitally important in raising up successful kids!

But as I ponder deeper, I think there is one characteristic that stands out to me more than any of these previously mentioned: empathy.

Empathy – it's the ability to understand another person's thoughts and feelings in a situation from their point of view, rather than your own.

Empathy has not only enabled me to be a better parent – to move from how I feel to how they feel – but I believe it is personally one of the characteristics of Jesus I most adore. His ability to “step in the shoes” of someone else and see the situation through their eyes, allows the beauty of transformation to take place.

Let’s read from Luke 13:10-13, Jesus Heals on the Sabbath:

One Sabbath day as Jesus was teaching in a synagogue, he saw a woman who had been crippled by an evil spirit. She had been bent double for eighteen years and was unable to stand up straight. When Jesus saw her, he called her over and said, “Dear woman, you are healed of your sickness!” Then he touched her, and instantly she could stand straight. How she praised God!

- Luke 13:10-13 (NLT)

This scripture is rich in empathy. Not only does Jesus heal this long suffering woman, but he performs this miracle on the Sabbath. Think that challenged anyone at the time?

Jesus not only replaced a long standing law (do not heal on the Sabbath) with love, but he then stepped into the shoes of this woman, felt her pain, gently touched her, and once healed, she miraculously and without hesitation stood up and praised God!

Now take a step back for a minute… can you imagine the hordes of people that awkwardly or purposely passed her by during her long battle with this illness and did nothing?

Whether too busy, too afraid, or too unwilling to take the time, their lack of empathy may have contributed to her inability to get better. Understandably, the many people that walked by would not have had the gift of healing, but they would be able to pause, care for and encourage her to seek the help she needed.

“Going First” doesn’t mean you have to fix every situation, but it does mean you have to reach out, lend a hand, and show you care.

When I take the time to “step in the shoes” of my children, my goal is not to solve every problem, because in reality, I can’t. They will suffer losses, pain, challenges, and situations that don’t go their way,  I can’t make it all better. I won’t be able to fix everything like Jesus can, but I CAN offer unconditional love, a listening ear, a helpful hand, a touch on their shoulder that makes them feel heard, valued, and loved.

So pause for a minute and ask yourself when someone “steps into your shoes” and lets you know they care, how does it make you feel? Would you even go so far as to say it can be transformational?

Jesus showed us time and time again what it looked like to choose others before himself. As Jesus stood there that day, the religious leaders clearly disagreed with the act of empathy and healing Jesus evoked which led to this woman’s transformation.

But what they failed to understand time and time again is that Jesus existed to show us how to care for others.

In  Galatians 6:2 we read:

Carry each other’s burdens, and in this way you will fulfill the law of Christ.

- Galatians 6:2

Friends, we need to ask ourselves, are WE ready to go first by following Jesus’ example, take the time to “step in the shoes” of someone in need around us, and show we care?

Don’t fall to the hesitation that just because you may not be able to fix it… you can’t help.

You CAN reach out, encourage, and show the love of Jesus which allows the beauty of transformation to begin.

Pastor Heidi

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