It's Not About the Shoes

I have a pair of daytime shoes that possess the perfect combination of attributes: cute and comfortable. My Clarks have been my go-to winter footwear for several years now and I noticed last week that the leather has split. Whether I like it or not—or find a comparable replacement or not—my favorite shoes are ready to retire.

I knew the time was coming so I started looking for their replacement a year ago at my favorite shoe store, Nordstrom. I was raised in the Northwest and remember when Nordstrom sold only shoes. All these years and shoes (including my favorite pair) later, I know Nordstrom is still my best bet to find cute and comfortable shoes.

I am not an enthusiastic shopper, especially when it comes to malls. A foray there must be essential and accompanied by a strategy to get in and out quickly. I’m ready. Off to Nordstrom.

I enter the store and circle the perimeter of the shoe department, then venture into the center area. Within moments I am greeted by a young, cheerful sales associate named Christie.

“Can I help you find anything?”

“I would really like a new pair of these Clarks, but I know this style isn’t made anymore,” I say looking down at my feet, “so I am looking for something comparable.”

Christie looks down, and then quickly looks up, as if she’s seen something objectionable. She has. My shoe denial had blinded me to the sorry state of my old Clarks.

“The comfortable shoes are along here,” she says pointing to several display tables. “Let me know if you need help.” And she walks away in her pair of super cute, but definitely not comfortable, strappy wedges.

It doesn’t take long before disappointment sets in. These offerings may well be comfortable, but they are not the least bit cute. I remind myself, Your shoes are falling apart, now suck it up and choose something you can live with! You’re not going to find anything better elsewhere. Nordstrom is your best shot!

But even with that internal reprimand, I cannot make myself buy shoes I do not like, no matter how comfortable they are. Now what? Try Macy’s, it’s just across the way.

I walk out to where Macy’s used to be and it’s nowhere in sight. But I do see a store I haven’t shopped in since high school: JCPenney. Just take a look, I hear from within. I’m desperate—I go in. A quick right then a left down a main aisle and I see women’s shoes straight ahead. Wow, that was easy, I think to myself. As I approach the department, I see a display behind the clerk’s desk with a large sign above it. To my amazement it says, “Clarks”, and you guessed it, on the shelf sits a brand new pair of my favorite shoes. I think I hear the angels singing!

Now, there are small miracles and there are large miracles and for me this shoe miracle falls somewhere in between. Yet, miracle it is.

But how did it happen? My guardian angels answered my prayers.

Now I’m not saying I sat down and prayed for these new shoes, but every time I put on my dilapidated Clarks I sent out a message of pure desire. It was specific, earnest and powerfully heartfelt, just the kind of focused prayer that helps our angels bring to us what we want. But there’s another critical piece to this shoe miracle. If I hadn’t listened and acted upon my intuition, it never would have happened.

Being a good spirit partner is a full-time job. Trust your instincts about what you shouldn’t do as much as what you should. It’s all guidance. And remember, you never know when, where or how your wishes will be granted. But you can be certain that if you’re doing your part intuitively, you won’t miss any miracles that come your way.

#guardianangels #prayer #intuition #spiritpartner #miracles