by Sheri L. VanDuyn
"Oh be careful little feet where you go,
Oh be careful little feet where you go.
For the Father up above is looking down in love.
So be careful little feet where you go."
This endearing children’s song with its cute hand motions has 2 other verses referring to hands (what you do) and tongue (what you say). But I will focus on feet and to start out- my feet.
About 12 years ago, my feet were a mess. Upon the arrival of my forties, I had 8 bad toes and only 2 good toes. Why? The diagnosis is fungus in my toenails. What I didn’t realize is that I was aiding the growth of this unsightly mess. I love wearing fuzzy slippers around the house and then socks to bed. I couldn’t go to sleep without them wearing them every night – I just hated cold piggy toes! With my feet covered almost all the time, my toes were never exposed to open air allowing them to breathe causing my toenails to deteriorate.
Well, I am the 4th member of my extended family to visit Dr. Susan-a foot podiatrist. What I learned at her office is that this is very common and also hereditary. (Thanks Dad!) I have tried pills, crèmes, lotions and ointments as well as several visits a year to Dr. Susan and the results are amazing.
I started visiting Dr. Susan almost since the beginning of her practice. The motto on her business card has been "Don’t be de-feeted!" While her assistants set you up by trimming your toes nails, nail bed; they file and buff while vacuuming up as they work on your feet. Then the good Dr. comes in to finish; you know every toe is going to tingle. When the job is completed, she always strokes your feet and toes and says-"You are good to go!" Her assistant would add lotion, put on your socks and shoes and then set up your next appointment.
Well, I have given up several pairs of slippers, wearing socks to bed and am trying to wear more open shoes, now allowing my toes to "breathe." Fashion especially in the summertime almost dictates pretty toes with all the sandals and flip flops. I am happy to say that my numbers have flopped since starting to see Dr. Sue with 8 good toes and 2 bad ones. With a coat of nail polish on, they look very pretty.
During Spring Break to Florida, I found a salon quite close to where we were staying that did pedicures and was having a "Spring Break" Special. So I went and had a wonderful time getting my feet soaked, pumiced, trimmed, filed, oiled, rubbed, and massaged; then painted and sealed. My toes felt and look fabulous. (A young man gave me what I consider this my 1st pedicure, while Dr. Susan’s have been at times been "toe-ture!") Well, I had 1 more pedicure locally before Graduation week and my feet were massaged and oiled and looking and feeling fabulous from a young Oriental lady.
I have raved about these pedicures that my husband gave me a gift certificate to a Day Spa for another such pedicure. Now don’t get the impression that I am totally pampering my feet. I was born to problem feet having been completely pigeon-toed since walking and wearing heavy orthopedic shoes through 8th grade. Now I have an ingrown nail and a bunion and I thought that these things only happened to "old people." Well I only wear footwear that is comfortable to me (My sister inherited several pairs of shoes as she wears the same size shoe.) and I plan on more visits to Dr. Susan.
I think of people during Biblical times. Often many are illustrated with bare feet or open toe sandals. There are signs today that say "No Shoes, So Service!" Well, that saying simply did not apply back then and comfort had nothing to do with foot gear.
One of my favorite Bible Stories is Mary as she anoints Jesus’ feet. John 12: 3-"Then Mary took a jar of costly perfume made from the essence of nard, and anointed Jesus’ feet with it and wiped them with her hair. And the house was filled with fragrance." Of course, Judas Iscariot-the one that would betray Jesus became upset saying-"That perfume was worth a fortune. It should have been sold and the money given to the poor."…Jesus replied, "Let her alone. She did it in preparation for my burial. You can always help the poor, but I won’t be with you very long."
What an act of servitude on Mary’s part! A common practice, anointing was of 3 kinds: ordinary after bathing, as a mark of respect, and getting ready for burial. Yes, a cleansing process, an art of love, and respect on Mary’s part; her role was preparation to make ready for Christ’s burial which only He realized was immanent. How interesting that the words "Messiah" and "Christ" mean "the anointed one."
There are many passages in the Bible that indicate the fondness for and the use of perfumes. In the hot countries perfumes became a sanitary necessity. They were used both to cover up bad odors and to make living more enjoyable for all concerned. Putting perfume or ointment on feet would be a way of cleansing, but also an act of love and servitude. Then as today a person doing this act is literally at your feet, not that you are superior; but you are being blessed by this act of service. Today if you have this done to you or you massage someone else’s feet…be careful little feet where you go! Where are you heading to in life? Are you going to college? Are you celebrating another year? Are you planning a wedding? Are you attending a basket retreat? What ever your current situation; remember that it is your feet that will take you to this spot!
May God bless your every step and guide your path!.....
"For the Father up above is looking down in love,
So be careful little feet where you go!"
(616) 846-7926 * sheri@justpatterns.com