Sandy Shoes

I knew the streets would be muddy after the recent storm, so not wanting my feet to get dirty, I passed over my flip flops and grabbed a pair of canvas slip ons. As I began to slide them on, I immediately felt something inside.  Ugh! What is that? Sand!  How did that get in there? Then I remembered… The last time I wore these shoes, we were at a beach in California with my daughter.  Now months later, I was on the other side of the world, and there was still sand in my shoes!  I suppose most people would have immediately dumped it out. But not me. Instead, I slid my feet in deeper, squishing my toes in the gritty stowaways.  The sand brought vivid memories of that day and they were something I wanted to hold on to. It’s been said that a picture is worth a thousand words. That may be true. But, I think my sandy shoes were worth 10 times that.

There’s a Carrie Underwood song that goes, “Don’t forget to remember me”.  I love that song.  Jesus said something similar to His disciples at what we know as “The Last Supper”. As He gave them the bread and wine, (common elements that would take on profound meaning) He said “Do this in remembrance of Me”¹.  The first thing I think of when reading this, is how could they ever forget You? They walked and talked with You for years! They saw You perform miracles! Really Lord? Did they need something to remember You? Do we?

The second thing that strikes me is what He didn’t say.  He didn’t say, “Remember this moment”, or “Remember what I’m about to do” (go to the cross), He didn’t even say, “Remember what these things mean” (although He told them). No, He said “Remember Me”. Perhaps it’s because He desires a relationship, not just a ritual. 

My sandy shoes reminded me of more than the beach, they reminded me of my loved one. Likewise, when we gather together in our churches to receive the bread and wine, sharing communion together, may we not forget to remember Him.

“In the same way, He took the cup of wine after supper, saying, “This cup is the new covenant between God and His people–an agreement confirmed with My blood. Do this to remember Me as often as you drink it. For every time you eat this bread and drink this cup, you are announcing the Lord’s death until He comes again.” 

1 Corinthians 11:25-26 NLT

Amen! Even so, come quickly Lord Jesus.²

¹ Luke 22:19-20

²  Revelation 22:20