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June Yates-Boykin

Following my morning prayer time I sat at my desk to begin my work for the day, still meditating on the Lord and all I had put before him on this day.  Suddenly, I felt the power of the presence of Holy Spirit come over me and in an almost panic I blurted out, “Why do I have on the wrong shoes?”

            I didn’t understand why that question came out of my mouth, only that in that instant I felt like I was wearing the wrong shoes and vocalized my confusion in a cry for help. Immediately, I was no longer at my desk.

            I was not home at all.  I was at the ballroom scene from Rodgers and Hammerstein’s Cinderella.  When I was a child this musical aired on television one time a year.  My older sister and I watched it together every time and more than five decades later I still remember the words to several of the songs.  As much as I loved this movie, I never expected to find myself on set, yet there I was.

            The people I saw were the actors and actresses from that movie, and the setting was theirs, but somehow I had gained access.   

            I walked into the ball room.  The floor ahead of me was huge, but empty.   Crowds of eligible young women and some men scattered among them were on either side, but none stepped out to dance.  They were all looking at me.  I was so nervous, so excited, felt so pretty.  My hair was done, my makeup was perfect, and I had on a beautiful dress.  I strolled slowly into the room, taking in every sight although I already knew from years ago what it looked like and who I should expect to see.  Across the dance floor and up some stairs were the King and Queen seated on their ballroom thrones.  I really don’t remember seeing the queen, but I knew she was there.

            My excitement vanished when I noticed people were beginning to snicker.  Several of them were whispering and I knew they weren’t saying nice things.  I suddenly noticed two things about my attire.  One, my dress was the only one not floor length.  That didn’t seem to be an issue except that’s why the second, very important thing was exposed.  I was wearing the wrong shoes. 

            I was wearing flat, rubber-soled canvas slip-ons like one would wear around the house or very casually.  To make matters worse, they were horribly worn and dirty.  In a nanosecond I was overwhelmed with emotion. 

• Shame!  I have embarrassed the King!
• Humiliation.  Everybody is laughing at me.
• Self-pity.  But these are the only shoes I have!

            I remember just looking up at the King with tears in my eyes.

            Suddenly, the King snapped His fingers and it was heard throughout the entire ball room as though a thousand times amplified.  He looked out over the crowd very sternly and said, “Hush!”  The room went silent.

            Immediately, as though from out of nowhere the Prince stood before me.  He stood at my left arm looking compassionately at me.  I was ashamed to look him in the eye. He had the infamous glass slippers in his hand.  He bent down, took off my old shoes and put the new ones on me.  He stood, touched my left arm and said, “You’ll get used to them.”

            I was immediately back at home. 

            This hurt me so, so much.  I was humiliated. Still, at the end everything was fine. The King came to my defense and the Prince gave me new shoes.   With rapidly beating heart and tear filled eyes I asked the Lord, “What does this mean?  What are you trying to tell me?”

            Throughout that day I meditated and opened my heart to hear from the Lord.  With the help of  Holy Spirit, my husband, and a close friend, by the end of the day I was humbled once again by Jesus’ love for me.  That same love and message is for all of us.  Perhaps the encouragement he gave me that day will inspire you as well, so I want to share:

            The old shoes were shoes of unworthiness and shame.  I didn’t deserve to be at the ball.  Some of those shoes come from past failures and sin.  Some of them come from past rejection or abuse.  Regardless as they how got on your feet,  if you’re wearing shoes like that get rid of them

Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; old things have passed away; behold, all things have become new. 2 Corinthians 5:17 NKJV

            The fact that my dress was not floor length, thereby exposing my shoes while the gowns of the other women hid their shoes, indicated God’s desire that we not hide who we are.  While there is certainly no place for hypocrisy in the body of Christ, that was not the primary message here.  It is that we should not allow any insecurity, inadequacy, or intimidation stop us from stepping into that place God has for us with boldness and confidence. 

For the Lord shall be your confidence, firm and strong, and shall keep your foot from being caught [in a trap or some hidden danger]. Proverbs 3:26, AMPC

So don’t lose your confidence. It will bring you a great reward. Hebrews 10:35, GW

            The people snickering and talking down about me?  Sad fact of life.  People will say hurtful things to and about you, especially as you become more bold and vocal in your purpose. It usually stems from jealousy.  You are rising above your difficulties and becoming the person God has destined you to be.  The talkers usually are not, so they are envious of those with the tenacity to do so and of the blessings that follow.  Just grow some thick skin and don’t let them stop you.  When they’ve gone too far, God will snap his fingers and truth will prevail.

“Blessed [morally courageous and spiritually alive with life-joy in God’s goodness] are you when people insult you and persecute you, and falsely say all kinds of evil things against you because of [your association with] Me.  Matthew 5:11, AMP

                Not only was the Prince waiting for me to show up, he was prepared for my arrival.  He knew I would be wearing shoes not complimentary to my dress, not reflective of who I now was – a welcomed guest at the gala thrown in search of a bride.  God is love.  Love is patient and love is kind.  He waits for us not only to accept his invitation into his kingdom, but also to enjoy our time on the dance floor.  That is, to fulfill his purpose in life and walk in his blessing.  The wonderful thing is He doesn’t stop there.  He knows exactly how we will show up, for none of us come properly dressed for our purpose.

            Some of us may arrive lacking knowledge or skill, others fall short in confidence, and more come in wearing beggars’ clothes.  He still welcomes us in, just like we are.  He can do so without hesitation because he knows he has everything we need.  He is prepared for our shortcomings, and will help us be transformed through a renewing of our minds to leave those tattered garments behind and dress like the children of the King that we are.  This, my friends, is called grace.

And He said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for My strength is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore most gladly I will rather boast in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me.  2 Corinthians 12:9, NKJV

And we all, with unveiled face, beholding the glory of the Lord, are being transformed into the same image from one degree of glory to another. For this comes from the Lord who is the Spirit.  2 Corinthians 3:18, ESV

            The shoes the Prince put on my feet were not mine.  He did not send someone to fetch them from my closet at home.  These shoes were from the palace.  This told me that when we are willing to shed the things of this world, God will replace them with heavenly things.  He heals hurts.  He increases knowledge and wisdom.  He replaces unforgiveness with freedom, failure with success, and lack with provision.  The list goes on and on.  All we have to do is be willing to step out of those old shoes, and step into the ones found throughout His word.

I will find joy in the Lord. I will delight in my God. He has dressed me in the clothes of salvation. He has wrapped me in the robe of righteousness like a bridegroom with a priest’s turban, like a bride with her jewels.  Isaiah 61:10, GW

You have turned for me my mourning into dancing; You have put off my sackcloth and clothed me with gladness,  Psalm 30:11, NKJV

            The final bit of encouragement from that experience was from what the Prince said to me when he gave me my new shoes, “You’ll get used to them.”  He didn’t tell me how much prettier I would be, although that would be true.  He didn’t tell me that they were a perfect fit, although they were.  He didn’t even tell me how much they cost, although they cost him his life.  “You’ll get used to them.”  That was all he said.

            You see, when we first give our lives over to the Lord, or when we realize that he is leading us into unfamiliar territory such as a ministry, a career, a new level of authority (including parenting), or new surroundings, things are rarely comfortable at first.  It takes time to adjust and courage to face the unknowns.  We can be excited and move toward these things with great anticipation and high hopes, still, there will be times of discomfort.  Jesus will be with us all the way as we learn to walk in our new shoes.  Even if our first few steps are shaky little baby steps, he will keep us steady.  Soon we’ll be walking in confidence enough to venture onto the dance floor.

He pulled me out of a horrible pit, out of the mud and clay. He set my feet on a rock and made my steps secure. Psalm 40:2, GW

I have set the Lord continually before me; Because He is at my right hand, I will not be shaken Psalm 16:8, AMP.

            My trip to the ball was on August 1, 2019, just shy of four years ago.  Since then I can remember three specific incidents where God has spoken to me, “You’re wearing the wrong shoes,” or I have envisioned him changing my shoes.  Each one of those was in a situation where I was nervous or felt inadequate or out of place.  Each time, when I listened and made myself mentally change my shoes, an amazing thing happened.  I overcame the insecurity and let Holy Spirit help me.  I did better than I could ever have done on my own.

            So if you’re facing anything from a small task to a major life change that has you feeling insecure in any way for any reason, don’t back away.  Simply close your eyes, focus on the King, and change your shoes.

©2023

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