Derl Keefer

“Sing unto him a new song; play skillfully with a loud noise.”

(Psalm 33:3 KJV).

Author Pauline Fraser relates a story that happened to her over a decade ago. She and her daughter ducked into dimly a lit thrift shop to keep dry from the rain pounding outside.  The clerk smiled and said, “Hi, today is stuff-a-bag-day.”  Pauline inquired what that meant and the helpful clerk replied, “Stuff as much stuff into the bag and you can have it all for three dollars.”  Thinking that was a good deal, Pauline and her young daughter began putting “stuff” into the bag.  As they wandered around there was an abrupt tug on her hand to get her attention to the shoe section of the store.  Pauline writes, “My daughter shares my weakness for shoes, so we stopped for a minute to look.  I let go of her hand and she reached out to touch a pair of shiny black shoes with a strap and silver buckle.”  Her daughter asked, “Buy me?”  Pauline told her daughter that they were tap shoes and she wasn’t taking tap lessons.  But the daughter insisted, so Pauline finally told her to try them on.  Perfect fit!  So they bought them, and her daughter wore them out of the store with a click, click, click all the way down the street.  Continuing their shopping at another store the shoes made the same click, click, click as before, and people turned their heads as they entered the store.  As the clicking continued some shoppers gave a disapproving stare, but for Pauline it was music to her ears. 

One lady approached her and said, “Excuse me, dear.  Is your daughter in tap this year?” “No,” she replied. “Well, why on earth would you allow her to wear tap shoes, here, of all places, in a store?  They make so much noise.”  Pauline told her how wonderful it is to hear.  The lady asked, “How can it be wonderful?” Pauline replied, “Because when she was a baby, we were told she would never walk or talk.  It has taken a lot of hard work and patience but she asked for the shoes and the click, click, click says that she can walk.”

Her daughter is now 18 and will graduate from high school this year.  Pauline states, “It has not always been easy, but it has all been worthwhile.  She has taught me that it doesn’t matter what others think.  They don’t walk in your shoes.”

Heavenly Father, what sounds are you using to get my attention today?  Will it be the noise of clanging silverware to make me aware of the millions who are hungry?  Or will the cry of a baby remind me that thousands of unborn babies will never make a sound because they are aborted?  Or will the laughter of someone remind me to be happy in Jesus and life?  Please, God, let me hear the click, click, click of the noises you send my way.  Amen.

This is Friday Evenings for June 15, 2007. To subscribe to this weekly publication, send your name and email address to Dr. Tom Barnard, Editor, at barnard22@cox.net. Back copies of this publication can be accessed at the following website: www.emfsprayerandpraise.com.  Permission to use quotes from Pauline Fraser have been granted to Rev. Derl Keefer, guest writer for this week’s devotional. Permission to use copyright materials in other publications must be granted in advance.