Ever lose something really important like um, your shoes? And did you ever feel God knew all about it all along and maybe even thought it was funny? Yes, I do believe God has a sense of humor.

Last week, before heading out to Kansas City for a Christian Writers Conference I made a list of everything I needed to take. The trip before this, I forgot my toothbrush but remembered my toothpaste. How does someone do that? The trip before that I brought my laptop and my cord, but somehow the plug didn’t come along for the ride.

This time I made list and I checked it more than twice. I’m much more dutiful than Santa Claus.

I wanted to look good, so I took nice clothes, you know better-than-jeans-and-t-shirts kinds of clothes. To wear these I needed my favorite shoes. They are comfortable, all black shoes that look dressy with slacks.  They were definitely on my list.

I packed the night before. There was a lot to get to my van. My son helped me stow it away before he left.

All I had to do was get a few odds and ends and take off.  At the last minute I changed out of my black shoes to my gray tennis shoes in order to be comfortable for the ride. I did remember to grab the black shoes.

I went to the passenger side to throw everything in, but my son had locked the door. Where are my keys? Oh yes, in my purse which I left inside where I changed shoes. I set my bags down on the ground and my shoes on top of the van and ran back in for my purse.

I rummaged through to find the keys, ran outside, unlocked the van, threw my things inside, hurried around to the driver’s side and breathed a sigh of relief. I might make it on time even though I was running later than I intended.

I looked at the clock. Panic began to set in. I had enough time to get there, but had no idea where I was going. I was relying on my phone’s GPS to know the way.

Out off my subdivision and on the main road to the interstate, I mentally went through a check list of items I wanted to be sure I had—toothbrush, toothpaste, laptop, cord and wall plug, books, ipad, clothes, shoes. Yes, I knew I had packed all of those.

For one quick moment a picture flitted across my mind, but I dismissed it.

Finally I arrived at the conference. I decided to stay in my travel clothes. It wouldn’t matter for the first session.

The next morning I rose and showered. Which should I wear—black and pink or gray and teal? I decided on the gray. I looked everywhere and couldn’t find my black shoes.

They’re probably in the car. I’ll find them when I get downstairs. They weren’t there. I sighed. I must have left them at home when I changed shoes.

I went through the rest of the weekend hiding my tennis-shoe clad feet.

I got home late to find my black shoes had not stayed put. I was sad. I had a speaking engagement Tuesday morning. I’d have to buy another pair.

The next morning, I headed out for an appointment. I was talking on the phone and driving when I spotted my wandering black shoes on the side of the road.

“It’s my shoes!” I screeched in the phone.

“What?” My friend sounded worried.

“My shoes are coming home.” I laughed.

That fleeting impression I got as I was leaving my subdivision was God speaking to me. I had seen the shoes on top of my car. I had dismissed it because I was late.

He did take care of me, though. He kept them safe for me. They were unharmed on the side of the road.

I was reminded of my wayward shoes when I used John 10:27 in my talk the next morning. “My sheep hear My voice. I know them and they follow Me.” I know His voice. I knew the picture I had seen was Him speaking to me, but I had reasoned it away. I had not followed Him.

The biggest reason I share this story and verse with you, though, is for the statement in the middle. It says, “I know them.” He really does know me, sometimes too well. I can just see Him right now having a big belly laugh about my shoes walking home without me.

Thanks, Big Guy. Love You, too.

Thanks so much for your support of Sweet Grace: How I Lost 250 Pounds and Stopped Trying to Earn God’s Favor, now #1 in Sugar Addiction memoirs, #5 in Christian Weight Loss Memoirs, #8 in Weight Loss Memoirs and #16 in God and Weight Loss.

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Teresa Shields Parker

Teresa Shields Parker is a Christian weight loss author, coach, podcaster, and speaker, who has lost 250 pounds and kept it off since 2013. Her books include: “Reconnecting Jayne: Her Sister’s Support,” “Rebuilding Jayne: Her Father’s Protection,”  “Sweet Grace: How I Lost 250 Pounds and Stopped Trying to Earn God’s Favor,” “Sweet Grace Study Guide,”  “Sweet Victory: Winning the Battle,” “Sweet Surrender: Breaking Strongholds,” “Sweet Journey to Transformation: Practical Steps to Lose Weight and Live Healthy”, “Sweet Freedom: Losing Weight and Keeping It Off With God’s Help,” “Sweet Freedom Study Guide,” “Sweet Change: True Stories of Transformation,” “Sweet Hunger: Developing an Appetite for God,” and “Sweet Excuses: Stop Lying to Yourself & Start Losing Weight.” She also offers Overcomers Christian Weight Loss Academy and VIP intensive coaching. Don’t miss her weekly podcast, Sweet Grace for Your Journey, where she shares tips from her personal journey of losing weight and discovering healthy living. Contact her at [email protected].