And this same God who takes care of me will supply all your needs from his glorious riches, which have been given to us in Christ Jesus.
Philippians 4:19 (NLT)
Snow swirled all about as Charles trudged resolutely up and down the city streets, inviting everyone he met to the church Christmas program. His beard was dappled with frost, and his feet were numb from the snow seeping through the holes in the soles of his shoes.
“Lord, it’s hard to witness for you when my feet are so cold,” he prayed aloud, his breath coming out in little puffs. “You know I don’t have the money to buy another pair of shoes. So please take care of your servant.”
Night was falling as he finally headed home, his shoes crunching on the fresh coat of snow. Weary and bent from the cold, Charles dragged himself up the stairs to the third floor, unlocked the door to his apartment, and stepped into the welcoming warmth of his loving home.
“Daddy! We were wondering when you’d get home,” his daughter squealed, as she ran to hug her father. “Guess who’s here to see you?”
Charles hung his jacket on the coat rack, then bent to enfold his daughter in a bear hug. Peering into the living room, he caught a glimpse of his family gathered around their guest.
“Mark?” Charles said, stepping into the living room. He embraced his younger brother and bid him sit down. “What brings you to see us today?”
Mark handed Charles a grocery bag. “I was cleaning out my closet this afternoon and found this pair of shoes I bought two years ago and never wore. I wondered if they might fit you?”
Charles didn’t need to try them on to know they’d fit. He’d prayed, and the Lord had provided. Nonetheless, he pulled off his old shoes and tried on the new ones. They were just the right size!
After hugs and a promise to visit again soon, Mark headed home to his own family. That night, as Charles read devotions to his wife and six children, they were surprised by a knock at the door. Charles quickly rose and opened it. His neighbor stood on the stoop, holding a brand-new pair of leather shoes.
“Hello, Charles,” he said, “a friend gave me these, but they don’t fit. Do you wear a size eight?”
A smile lit up Charles’ face as tried them on. “Thank you so much,” he said, shaking his neighbor’s hand. “They’re perfect.”
It only took three days for Charles to accumulate five pairs of shoes. Family members, friends, and neighbors all seemed to have shoes that they didn’t want or need. Each pair was Charles’ size.
On the fourth day, Charles was eating lunch with his cousin Daniel, when Daniel asked. “Oh, by the way Charles, I have a pair of shoes, size eight, that are just sitting in my closet. I was wondering if you could use them?”
Pushing his chair away from the table, Charles excused himself for a moment and stepped into his bedroom. He fell to his knees and prayed.
“Lord, thank you for blessing your servant so abundantly. But now I have enough.”
Charles rose and returned to the table.
Daniel didn’t ask again about the shoes; they’d completely slipped his mind.
Note: Charles was a member of our church in Orly, France, where my parents ministered. He led forty members of his family to Christ and witnessed to anyone he met – fully believing God had made their paths cross – about the wondrous love and grace of God.