Recently I heard a comment made about sneakers that really made me scratch my head. If your sneakers have creases, they aren’t good anymore. Normal Haley fashion is to think about random talks such as this one long after they’ve concluded, and it dawned on me today’s culture, social media, and standards are pushing a deeper message: Maintain a life that appears blemish-free. I disagree. And also, how is that even sustainable? No. Just like my sneakers have creases and scuff marks, so does my life, and if we were sitting together right now, I think you would give me a texas-sized ME TOO.

Shoes are fun, and I especially appreciate a clean white classic sneaker, but I know they will only last so long. Shoes by definition are: a covering for the foot, typically made of leather, having a sturdy sole, originating in appearance for function. Their purpose as a covering directly implies junk will get on them! My internal life and external life both have creases and scuff marks, or as I like to say I have stories. In fact, I have many. many stories. Some of my stories tell of celebration and monumental moments, and I cling to these in tough seasons- they give me hope! Other stories contain the happenings of emotional wounds, bad habits, negative thought patterns, and poor choices. But just because they’re not all good doesn’t mean I should hide them or worse, throw them out. Stories are meant to be told because they hold messages. Stories when told hold power to help others.

People admire success but everyone can relate to weakness because everyone has been there. Personally, I’m just getting around to embracing my many many stories of struggles and pain. Truthfully, it just has never come natural to me to embrace pain much less share about it openly. I want to live a life that people can relate to, not just admire based on a highlight reel view. More than anything, I want to live a life that shows people Jesus- the real, mess embracing, unconditionally loving Jesus. When He walked this earth, Jesus felt pain, both internal and external pain. Jesus can sympathize and empathize with us in our sorrows, disappointments, and grief. I’m on a journey embracing my own creases and scuff marks and allowing them to draw me closer to the One who can love me through it all. Jesus isn’t scared or shying away from your creases.

When you think about it, you didn’t really love the sneakers that much to begin with if one crease changes your mind about them. Why would we consider the same logic for our own stories which are oh so much more valuable than a pair of sneakers and that hold power to help people!

Just like sneakers can look so different with so many different styles and trends, they all have the same function: to protect your feet as you journey through life. Similarly, our stories, all looking different yet, I believe, have a uniting function: to connect us all to one another and to the One who’s writing our story.

My Jesus has some creases and scuff marks. When I feel shame about my pain or my stories, I think of Jesus and how far He went out of His love for me. Next time you doubt or think your creases devalue you or would keep you from a certain conversation or group of people, I implore you to embrace them because the One paid it all wears them with love for you.

“Looking to Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith who for the joy set before Him, endured the cross, scorning its shame and sat down at the right hand of God.” Hebrews 12:2


Love & Prayers,
Hales