It All Began... When Jesus Gave Me Sneakers

The Sneaker Dream

I was crying uncontrollably, kneeling on a long road that seemed to go on forever. There was a luxurious, green forest on the right, and a barren, parched desert on the left. I held my head in my hands, feverishly sobbing, because I knew I was supposed to walk the road all the way to the end. I felt defeated. I felt unable. I felt unbearable odds of ever finishing it. I was overwhelmed.

Suddenly, Jesus was standing to my right. His gown was white as fresh snow. His dark hair lay gracefully on His surprisingly meek shoulders. I knew Him, and standing next to Him seemed as normal as breathing. I looked to be an adult in the dream, though I was only a 12 year old child. He put his left arm around me and helped me to my feet. We stood there, Him and me, facing the road before us. We talked with our minds, not our voices. Our mouths never moved once.

Jesus said, “My child, why are you weeping?”

I answered, “Because this road is too long to travel. It has countless twists and turns. It contains so many hills and valleys. This road goes far beyond what my eyes can see.”

My Lord said, “You will have many trials and tribulations in your life. Do not look in front of you, or behind you, but beside you, for there I will always be.”

It was then that an old pair of decrepit sneakers fell at my feet. They had holes in them, the shoe laces were frayed and the soles were worn to shreds.

Jesus said, “Take these shoes and wear them, and they will carry you down this road.”

I said in doubt, “But Lord, they are so beaten and torn, how will they ever last?”

Jesus said, “My child, wasn’t I also beaten and torn when I died on the Cross, and aren’t I enough to carry you?”