I’m not a boot guy. I didn’t grow up on a farm, and I certainly didn’t spend my early years hauling hay or herding cattle. While my fraternity brothers rocked weathered Justins, I was perfectly content with Birkenstock clogs.
I bought my first pair of boots when I was twenty-three years old, and I remember the comments from some of my good-ole-boy buddies. ”Man, those things look shiny. It doesn’t look like they’ve done a day of work.” ”Those boots will sure look pretty with a pink, button-down Polo.”
To me, my new boots were comfortable, low-maintenance, and as a matter of fact, they DID look good with jeans and a button-down.
Six years later, my original pair of Redwings are well-worn. Their leather has wrapped itself around my feet. The one on my left foot has yawned just enough to accommodate my awkward and obviously crooked big toe. Every so often, someone will toss a compliment their way. ”I like those things.” ”Son, that’s a solid pair of boots.” Some have even asked where they could buy a pair. Each time, it makes me a little giddy inside.
There are times in our lives when we feel compelled to make changes. Some changes are subtle, maybe even trivial. Others are deep, meaningful, and ultimately necessary. People around us may not comprehend the root, purpose, or significance of the changes. Deep and real change, however, is not rooted in someone else’s perception. Change is valuable because we understand the renewal and power that transformation ushers into our lives.
If my boots have a lesson to teach it is that change takes time to grow roots, but sooner than we can imagine, those who have committed to journey with us will appreciate the value of our changes. And a new group of people will make their way into our lives, and they will not know us for all of the changes we have made. They will know us for the people we are now.
I wasn’t a boot guy. Now I am.
