The admonition to walk a mile in someone else's shoes means before judging someone, you must understand his/her experiences, challenges, thought processes, etc. Also, in someone else's shoes; in someone's place or stead. Acting for another person or experiencing something as another person might; in another's position or situation. In effect, it is a reminder to practice empathy. It however does not come naturally, as when you see this picture literally, the other persons foot has a different shape and size than yours, and somewhere the shoe will start to give you discomfort in certain areas after a period of time. For my wife, Ronel, today was such a day, as she walked in Lume’s shoes to reach a number of people. Legacy of Love was born out of trauma…of losing our daughter Lume. The purpose of LoL is to help people in trauma. Parents that lose a child, someone that lose a loved one, people who experience trauma because of a traumatic life event. Because we are on the same road, we have a good understanding of empathy, and try to practise that each day.
During the past 3 years so many people has been reached and touched through the initiatives that sometimes was just born out of someone in trauma. The Act of Kindness or Comfort boxes was born out of such an event. Since, these boxes found its way to people in pain, and the purpose of the contents is to do just that, comfort the recipient and just spread the good news of hope and love.
During the past 3 weeks so many people lost loved ones through the Covid pandemic. As we’ve also lost our daughter as well as our my mother-in-law (Ronel’s mom) on 24 May 2021 we understand the hurt these people go through, and just want to reach out to say that we are so, so sorry for their loss. No words or actions will ease their pain, but a small act of kindness can give hope and show love.
We personally know a lot of the people who passed away, but Ronel also asked for the names through her network to get in touch with those we don’t know, and in the past week alone she has dropped off about 12 comfort boxes. That is 12 families who lost a loved one. 12 different stories that was shared with Ronel.
We listened to a message from Joyce Meyer over the weekend that said that God do His work through people. Faith vs Works. You change if you have real faith. We pray and pray and want God to help and do it, but we don’t want to do it…OR “I’ll pray for you, but can’t help you, I’ll trust that God will”. In many cases we can do exactly what we ask God to do… we can step in and be His feet and hands, and help. We can supply, give food, clothes, comfort and sometimes money to help those around us. (James 2:14 - 16; James 2:20; Galatians 6:10) We can ask Him for help, but we must also be willing to be the help that others are asking for. We believe that LoL was brought to life (through death) for a time like this, to be part of His feet and hands. God knows your heart, but people can’t see your heart… they can only see your behaviour = Is it a Godly Behaviour? Who am I in God? You become what you believe.
Today, Ronel took out a pair of Lume’s shoes for the first time (actually she could not find her pumps- and Lume’s box of left over shoes and clothes is in our room) and walked in it to deliver the boxes. Lume’s shoes, Ronel’s feet, God’s direction.Indirectly she started this initiative, now she also needs to be involved right here, right now and walk with her mom. We pray that those who were reached and the many more we don’t know about or couldn’t get to yet, will experience that peace, hope and love that only He can provide. We know we can trust His heart. He still reign and He is still God. He will never leave us, nor forsake us. This truth will be our story!!
