When I Am Old, I Will Wear Sneakers.
Aunt Lorene, author, and cousin Charla visiting in Branson, MO (1995).
Looking out the big picture window at the quiet street below, I watch Aunt Lorene park on the drive. I swivel around expectantly, waiting for her to come up the front porch. The soft summer chatter in Grandma’s living room is about to get fun. Lorene’s exuberant personality precedes her careful steps up the brick porch, and her spirited voice rings out. “Well halloo, happy people!” as the screen door closes behind her.
Lorene is 12 years younger than Grandma. She has every appearance of the fun, gray-haired lady that’s crested the hill of life and is enjoying every moment at the top. From her colorful flowing dress down to her choice of shoes. Her shoes! Now that catches my attention!
I have never seen an “old person” wear such cool fashion – Nike. This is a popular choice for any teenager growing up in the 1980’s. And here is Aunt Lorene wearing classic white Nikes with a true-blue swoosh. What an amazing sight!
After Lorene leaves, I tell Mom decidedly, “When I am old, I’m going to wear sneakers. Not the old lady shoes like Grandma wears.” This is not a casual observation but a declaration. A Kodak moment. The snapshot archived in my mind’s eye captures this beautiful, larger than life personality, modeling the art of aging in her own unique style.
I’m reminded that God’s Word describes what we are to put on as a believer in Christ. Afterall, we are ambassadors for Christ (2 Corinthians 5:20), representatives of His heavenly Kingdom here on earth. We are a spirit, we have a soul, and we live in a body. God is not only mindful of our natural needs but also how we are clothed in the spirit.
If you think you have nothing to wear. Look again.
In our spiritual wardrobe we have the garment of praise for a spirit of heaviness (Isaiah 61:3). Further it describes in Isaiah 61:10 that we are clothed with garments of salvation and covered with the robe righteousness. Consider this “designer” clothing that The Designer fashioned for His body. They were purchased with a great price.
Jesus Himself had something to say about clothes. In Luke 7:25 (NKJV) he says, “But what did you go out to see? A man clothed in soft garments? Indeed those who are gorgeously appareled and live in luxury are in kings’ courts.”
Read closely and you’ll see a message. It’s a message about identity.
Because we identify with the death, burial, and resurrection of our Lord and Savior; our identity is hidden in Christ (Colossians 3:3). We are clothed in His righteousness (Philippians 3:9); we are a royal priesthood (1 Peter 2:9); and seated with Christ in heavenly places (Ephesians 2:6).
Imagine. You already have a seat at the King’s table. And you’re dressed for the occasion.
In the Old Testament we have a picture of this in Jeremiah 52:33. “So Jehoiachin changed from his prison garments, and he ate bread regularly before the king all the days of his life.”
Don’t settle for less than who Christ made you to be.
As I pick up the shoe box of old pictures in my memory. It’s so easy to visualize Aunt Lorene, Grandma and Grandad, Mom. The laughter in the living room, and old stories being swapped with little to no prompting from my brother and sister, or myself.
I think about new images to be uploaded.
And how next year I will become a grandma. And I will wear sneakers.