These Old Shoes

THESE OLD SHOES

Dr. Thomas Galt

            I was walking up to where we meet the bus to gather the kids from school. I realized I had on my old moccasins on. My old faithful shoes that a friend of mine had given to me a long time ago. These old shoes have been all around and never failed me yet. The toe on the right one has a little hole in it but still keeps my foot safe. No matter what I do to them, no matter how I abuse them, these old shoes keep going. Just like the old Timex saying "takes a licking and keeps on ticking."

            As I thought about that I began to think about my relationship with Christ. It has not been easy over the last 41 years since I meet Christ as my personal savior and my best friend. I have had my ups and downs. But through it all one thing has always been consistent and always in the back of my mind. One verse stays with me.

Matthew 28:20

20 Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world. Amen. 

This verse has gotten me through more hard times.

            I was pastoring a church many years ago and also had a small business. Things started to go south and I ended up having to file bankruptcy. Instead of anyone wanting to talk and find out what was going on, the deacons showed up and told me I was to quit as they were going to take over. As I prayed and asked God what to do He reminded me of this scripture. In my heart and through confirmation through a member of the church I stayed. Though men may leave God will forever remain faithful. The deacons left and funny thing. The problems that had plagued the church stopped. Too many times I have read of stories of where people have gotten into trouble and all forsook them but the presence of God was there. A good example is Jonah. Ran from his calling and ended up in the belly of a whale. Forsaken. Forgotten. Except by God the Father.

            I know of a lady, a true story, which was at home one evening. Her husband had gone off to work. He worked the late shift. Being by herself she was just overcome with this sense of being all alone. She had contacted some people and asked if they could come and see her. Everyone was too busy or not at home. She felt this ever present sense of complete and utter abandonment. Her husband wasn't there. Her “friends” weren't there. Her family wasn't there. No body. Not even the neighbors were there. Earlier in the day there was utter and total rejection by some that she thought were friends. This was the culmination of what she felt was being shoved out on the plank like on a pirate ship. Many thoughts ran through her mind. Just give up and die. Run away and just get a new life if she could. Maybe she should just commit suicide as no one would probably care anyway. There was this overwhelming urge to just end what she felt was misery. She told me in the midst of this she just cried out so loud that if the neighbors were home they would have heard her. “GOD IF YOUR THERE SHOW ME. NOW.” All of a sudden she saw in the bed next to the chair where she was sitting it seemed as though someone sat down. Then she felt arms wrapping around her. The very presence of God was there to let her know, “lo, I am with you always, even unto the end of the world.”

            You know, honestly I really don't care if people believe that things like this happen today. They really do. I have a prime example for you from my own life. I had been at a revival one night at a small church way out in a little country town. As I was traveling home a voice spoke just as loud as if someone was sitting next to me. But I was the only one in the car. “You’re going to die tonight.” I looked around and no one. I looked at the radio to see if it was on. Nope. I just ignored it thinking that maybe it was from some pizza I had earlier. Then the voice spoke again, but a little louder, “YOUR GOING TO DIE TONIGHT.” Traveling on an old country road after taking a short cut, I honestly began to get scared and tremble. I thought I was going to die that night. I began to weep. Tears began to flow down my checks like two rivers. I thought of my family that I was going to leave. I thought of my children that I was not see grow up. Many thoughts ran through my mind. I thought God was taking me home. In the middle of the tears I heard another quieting voice, soothing like a brook near a campsite. Like a warm blanket peace began to fill the car. This voice spoke and said “Look up.” I figured what the hey. I'm going to die anyway so why not. As I looked up towards the top of the car, now mind you I was a little confused because what was I going to see? The inside of the roof of my car? Well, in this instance God allowed me to see in the Spirit realm. Behind me I saw a man standing with his hands on the back of the driver’s seat, tall enough that he was outside of the car roof. He was in a light blue flowing gown. Bald as a baby's bottom. He looked down on me eye to eye and said, “You’re not going to die tonight. Go on home. You are safe.” Well, my friend, the tears flowed again but these were tears of joy. The angels of the Lord were there to help protect me.

            I have told that story before and had people to write me and say they have had a similar experience. One told a story of a preacher that was holding a revival. A man came in the middle of the revival meeting and was intent on killing the preacher. He had a gun inside his jacket. He sat down and reached inside his jacket to get the gun. The preacher unaware of what was happening kept going. The man sat up and then walked down the isle and sat on the front row. He kept preaching. Invitation came. The man sat on the front row eyes as wide as saucers. He went to the preacher and told him the whole story. The preacher asked him what happened and why didn't he shoot? “I had every intention of doing that but that big man that stood behind you stopped me. Every move you would make, he made. Every step you took, he took.” God had opened this man's eyes to see in the Spirit realm to see the mighty angel of God.  He gave his heart to Christ.

            God would not give us life and then tell us “Well, you’re on your own now. Hope you make it.” Powerful words.  I am with you always, even unto the end of the world. Amen. This world is not going to get better. We read in the scriptures that the times are a changing and they are going to get worse. But those whose trust is in Christ, they shall be overcomers. May feel worn out. May have a hole in the toe like my old moccasins. But in the end, we make it. We win. Your not the only one that has ever felt alone. Read these powerful words straight from the lips of the Master, 32 Behold, the hour cometh, yea, is now come, that ye shall be scattered, every man to his own, and shall leave me alone: and yet I am not alone, because the Father is with me. John 16:32 (KJV)

My Life and What's In It

I don't know if anyone will care but I am one that I enjoy putting down my thoughts of what is going on in my life. I have written two books of my thoughts and feelings. One is called "Parents Again" dealing with relatives becoming care givers for their grandchildren, aunts and uncles with their nieces and nephews, etc. You get the idea. I have also written a book called, "Creat A Happy Church" dealing with my thoughts and direction from God and pastors and the congregation following God in creating a church family pleasing unto God. I just love to write. Back a few years ago my wife had to be gone for a while and I took the time to basically write a letter or two a day in a journal for her to read when she returned. I had always enjoyed it. I also found that I can say things in writing that I couldn't get said out of my mouth. It just seems more natural and easier to put pen to tablet or fingers to the computer to get these thoughts and ideas our to whom it is needed. Or even just to put them down for future reference. I found when I was younger I enjoyed putting pen to paper and writing to God. I wasn't raised a christian but there was always something in me that just knew that God was there and He was watching and listening. If I had a hurt, I could put it down on paper and it felt right and that God heard and saw. I even had the idea that Jesus was standing behind me watching me write.

One time as I was writing it felt as tho Jesus or and Angel was behind me looking over my shoulder reading what I was putting to paper. I was really hurting and discouraged and the words just wouldn't come out of my mouth but I could put them to paper. It felt as tho whoever was standing behind me reading it was cryng right along with me and could feel the hurt in my heart. Life in the Galt house has not been the easiet thing. When I say the Galt house I speak of the one today. I feel that what went on when I was growing up is in the past. I do wish that I had a time machine and were able to go back in time and make some changes to how things were or how I reacted to a situation or just to change the way I was. There were some joyous time in my past, but there are some things that I truly would wish that that time machine would let me go back and change them. Many people mad an influence on my life, some for the God, but some, well lets say I wouldn't want anyone to know about that because unlike God our father, there are some holier than thou people that would put you right up on the other side of Jesus and crucify me. It is in their human nature to do that.

Christians honestly don't need the court system to judge people. They have already become Sheriff, Judge, Jury and executioner. And they can't wait to call someone and just have diareha of the mouth and run off and tell. Even some have the nerve to make things up about you and spread that as gospel. Out and out lies that they give to try to do harm to you because it makes them feel they are superior and a sense of greater than thou.

When my wife and I took on the responsibilty of raising two of the most wonderful kids in the world, Matthew and Kelly, you would not believe the number of people that, well meaning they thought, bossy as all get out, thinking they know all and tell all, came to us and told us we were stupid for stepping up to the plate and welcoming these two into our home. We did as we felt was right. I thank God that my wife agreed with my and said yes. We did take the time to think about it. It took quite a while to say yes. About one millionth of a second. I could not stand to let them be put up for adoption and sent to a home of strangers. They needed to stay in the home of people that would love care for them. We have tried our best. It hasn't been easy. Little did we know when we said yes the first time then about a year or so later we said yes again what we would be getting into. My health at that time was excellent. But over time it went down hill and Lorie had to pick up the slack and take more responsibilty because of my health. She has been fantastic.
One thing that really bothers me tho is those "well meaning people" who open mouth and insert foot and try to tell us what we need to do and not do. I am sorry to say, well not really, butt out. You do not know what is going on behind the scenes and you do NOT know what we go through. We find that it is hard to tell anyone what is going on and some of the troubles that we have had. Unless you have been through it, you don't know what to say to us. You just want to be bossy. You think you are doing right, but till you can walk a mile or even a few feet in our shoes, listen carefully and if I offend you with what I am about to say, I won't apologize, SHUT UP AND BUTT OUT. Book learning is good to have, but the greatest teacher there is is the experience of being there.

We have had the opportunity to counsel others and help them going through this same experience and it has been a blessing because we have been able to share with them what we have been through and how we have done it. But don't take what we say as gospel. Each situation is different. We share what we have faced and how we have handled it. Just take those words and pray over them and use them as an example but you must handle the stiuations in the way that God leads you. Common sense and prayer and leadership of the Holy Spirit is the best way to handle it.

The last three days of being in the hospital has given me the time to reflect on our experiences and my eyes have truly been opened to some the comings and goings, some of the ups and downs of our marriage and our life. You see, one thing about my marriage to Lorie, and this really hurts deeply and I feel that she has been deprived of something, we have never really taken a honeymoon. We have never really been able to take some Lorie and Tom time of our own. There has been a child in our home the whole time. Don't get me wrong. We have enjoyed our children, and step children, but we have found that it would be wonderful at our age to be able to go and to have some just Lorie and Tom time alone. Maybe one day God will provide that time. Just a few days somewhere that Tom and Lorie can take a few days and just enjoy each others company and renew that love and respect that we have for each other. To really get to know each other as partners in life. I pray that one day God would provide just even a weekend where Tom and Lorie could go and get a place where we could just hold each other and not let go. Would be nice. Even now every time we try to have some quiet time, not happening. Last Thursday we were in the kitchen of our home. We wanted to give each other a hug and a kiss, and I think kids have built in radar. It has to be genetically built into a child. Never fails. Just about the time our lips go to touch, even just about the time our arms go about each other, "Mommy, Matthew hit me." Or even better we were about to hug when someone a bit shorter than ourselves came right up and shoved their way in between us and the moment was lost. Don't get me wrong. I love my babies hugs. I love my babies kisses. But I also long for those hugs and kisses from my wonderful partner, my wonderful life. It just seems that problems melt away when I am in her arms.
When she was about to leave today from my hospital room we did get that opportunity to get a hug and a long kiss. No kids, no phone ringing. Just us in a loving embrace. It seemed to melt the worry about my health away and I felt for the first time I would make it out of this place back to the arms of the one I love. One day we will get the time and money to go to a quiet place like Gatlinburg, or even Daytona and just the two of us spend time renewing the oneness that God has placed us into. We never go anywhere right now without the kids. I feel guilty going some where and not having the kids with us. But a husband and wife need that alone time just the two of us.

This time in the hospital has really given me time to think and desire and pray over our lives. Yes God has taken this situation to draw us together. Yes I have had the opportunity to take time to pray over some that are worse off than me. One person in the room across from me they called a code blue. His heart had stopped. Serious heart attack. God gave me the opportunity to pray over them and see the hand of God at work. Two minutes later they were back and talking. They had died. They were dead, but Jesus raised them up and they live. Thank you Father for that chance.

I don't know if anyone is interested in reading these blogs but it gives me the opportunity to open my heart and share what is in it. Don't judge me or my family till you know what is in it. When you point your finger at us just remember there are more fingers pointing back at yourself. Before you try to get the speck out of my eye, pluck the beam out of your own. Judgement is reserved for one, our Heavenly Father. Your duty is to pray for us and reach out with a helping unjudgmental hand. More to come. This is going to be a running blog of what is happening and how God is revealing His love and His Son in our lives. Love to all till next time.