Parents, everything we do and say affects not only the atmosphere of our home and family relationships, but has the capacity to penetrate deep into our children’s hearts as well. At each moment, we are either building up or tearing down.
I don’t know about you, but things can get pretty frazzled in the Slattery 
household, and there are days when it’s all I can do to keep myself in check. Throw no fits, burn no meals, start no arguments…
Honestly, 99% of the time, it comes down to a choice: Will I fight for my rights or die to myself, e
ven if that means surrendering the last piece of apple pie?
Today Carole Brown is back with us sharing one of the most beautiful true life stories I have heard in some time.
Stockinged Feet by Carole Brown
Have you ever had an event unfold in front of your eyes that caused it to become a “Stick-in-your-mind” remembrance?
We were young–my husband and I–and in our second pastorate with two young sons. As any pastor and his family can tell you, pastoring can be either a blessing or a trial, in it’s own way and depending on the characters, emotions and personalities of all involved. This one was no different: the neighborhood was–uh, unique, the people, kind of what would be called as isolated, and the church located a distance away from our families.
One week. in our pastor-ish duties, we visited a couple a certain evening. Now my husband, Dan, has always set high standards of dress and neatness for himself so why on earth we would be visiting with him wearing work boots is something I definitely don’t remember.
But I do remember the remark the wife made as we entered. “Wish my husband could afford new boots.”
These were new boots, only we hadn’t bought them. Dan’s brother (for whatever reason) didn’t want them and passed them on to my husband, who was happy to get them. You learn to be especially thankful for every little blessing that comes your way when you’re pastoring!
My husband said nothing, but after we were seated, he bent over and unlaced the boots and calmly slipped his feet from them. The evening went on as if nothing had been said.
When it came time to leave, my husband headed for the door, minus the boots and in his stocking feet.
Of course, the wife was flustered. But my husband was adamant that he was to give those boots to her husband. Any other man might have been suspect of a tinge of “pay back” or perhaps even loftiness, but not Dan. Knowing him as I did then, and even now looking back, I
realize that his act truly came from a generous heart. He had two pairs of boots–the old and the new. He chose the old.
Silly? No. Because that action stuck in my mind and our sons’ minds. We saw generosity in motion. Ever after we will remember the boot episode and be grateful God gave us a wonderful–full-hearted man for a husband and father. That’s probably one reason why our sons consider him their best friend and why all these years later, he’s still my hero.
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Besides being a member and active participant of many writing groups, Carole Brown enjoys mentoring beginning writers. She loves to weave suspense and tough topics into her books, along with a touch of romance and whimsy, and is always on the lookout for outstanding titles and catchy ideas. She and her husband reside in SE Ohio but have ministered and counseled nationally and internationally. Together, they enjoy their grandsons, traveling, gardening, good food, the simple life, and did she mention their grandsons?
Connect with her here online at her blog, on Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest, and Goodreads.
Her novel, The Redemption of Caralynne Hayman:
How far would YOU go to avenge a daughter’s cruel death? Cara is considered rebellious and inappropriate to befriend. Dayne is the apple of Elder Simmons’ eye—until he takes a stand against their teachings. Can his prayers and love reach Cara and show her the way to redemption? Will Cara realize God’s love and forgiveness before she goes too far?
Order your copy now! http://www.amazon.com/dp/1938499948/
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