The Shoe in the Parking Lot

It was in a restaurant parking lot, sitting perfectly parallel to the yellow line of a parking space. How did one child’s clog end up here? I have my own theory, but will leave room for your thoughts, kind reader.

Since I work with children as an educational administrator, my initial sentiment was, “Somewhere out there a kid is feeling uncomfortable right now.”

Maybe mom just noticed her five-year-old hobbling into a local Walmart on one shoe. “Where is your other one?!” she says. “I just bought you that pair of clogs; do I look like I’m made of money?”

As usual, my metaphorical wheels were spinning. What message does a perfectly parked children’s clog convey?

It makes me think of how kids often leave things behind at school–coats and hoodies, lunch boxes and water bottles, and single shoes. (Did they not realize something was off when they walked out of here?)

Every long summer break, some students also leave a part of themselves behind at school. Frankly, the schoolhouse is the safest and most accepting place they know. There they are taught, fed, and encouraged to be a part of something bigger than themselves. Yes, this is what educational institutions are supposed to do, but society plays a part as well.

It takes a village to raise a child.

African proverb

How are we doing?

It depends how you look at it. I know this: somewhere out there a kid is feeling uncomfortable right now, and it may not be their fault.

So, what else can we do?

I have my own theory, but will again leave room for your thoughts, kind reader.

Whoever receives one such child in my name receives me, and whoever receives me, receives not me but him who sent me.

Mark 9:37

Thank you for reading. 🙏❤️ prayers and love.


The Stigma Stops Here. 🛑

#mentalhealthmatters



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13 responses to “The Shoe in the Parking Lot”

  1. jesusluvsall Avatar

    I taught in a program in lower income neighborhood schools for for 13 years and always wondered what the children were going home to.

    Liked by 1 person

  2. God Still Speaks Avatar

    I always wonder the same thing when I see a lone shoe on the side of the road.

    Liked by 1 person

  3. davidsdailydose Avatar

    In schools (public and private), there’s still a lot more good than bad. Thanks for reading and commenting, Pastor Pete. God Bless!

    Liked by 1 person

  4. davidsdailydose Avatar

    Thanks, brother Eric. I forgot what day this is! There are plenty of good programs for school age children, senior adults, and veterans, yet some of the most vulnerable still fall through the cracks.
    Thanks for stopping by. God Bless, my brother!

    Liked by 1 person

  5. davidsdailydose Avatar

    You’re most welcome, brother. Thank you for stopping by.

    Liked by 1 person

  6. davidsdailydose Avatar

    It is difficult, but there are plenty of summer programs for young people in my area. Sadly, there are still kids who fall through the cracks.
    Thanks for reading, sharing, and caring, brother Chris. God Bless!

    Liked by 1 person

  7. davidsdailydose Avatar

    Providing structured activities for young people in the summer is a good start.

    Loving kids unconditionally, year round, is another. What does this look like? It means doing what’s needed.

    I hope this doesn’t sound too preachy, because I don’t claim to know all the answers. I do know it takes a group effort to look out for children.

    Thank you for reading and commenting, Malcolm.

    Liked by 1 person

  8. DailyArmorDevotional Avatar

    Great points brother David! The most vulnerable in our society must never be forgotten: little children and the elderly.

    I’ve often wondered the same thing when I see discarded things on the road: a hairbrush, a single patio chair, one winter glove. There’s a story behind discarded and forgotten things…just like there’s a story behind discarded and forgotten lives.

    At the end of every school year I marvel at the lost and found table in my wife’s elementary school. There are piles of things: Thermos bottles, clothing items, shoes, and even Bibles!
    My question is like yours: Didn’t they notice it was gone?

    Thanks for the reminder to remember the forgotten…very fitting on D-Day as we remember the very few elderly veterans who are left on this planet.

    Have a great day brother, great food for thought as usual!

    Liked by 3 people

  9. pastorpete51 Avatar

    Wow! You bring back fond memories of what school, with all its warts and freckles, used to be like long-long ago. Before the awful headlines that frighten us today, school was the safe place and the launching pad for dreams and adventures. Thank you for helping to make a place for children today. P.S. Maybe that kid was like me when I was a boy on summer break, going barefoot as much as possible, and he dropped a clog while hopping into the car.

    Liked by 2 people

  10. The Devotional Guy™ Avatar

    You’ve provided us with a lot of food for thought in this post, David. Making memories as kids, in school and in the Summer, what did the adults know or notice, and the pivotal role the education system plays in raising our youth, to name a few, are thoughts rambling through my brain. Thanks for giving me something to think about today!

    Liked by 1 person

  11. malcolmsmusingscom Avatar

    Thanks, David, for the thoughts and questions – without preaching a sermon, telling us what our answer should be!

    Liked by 1 person

  12. Chris G Thelen Avatar

    Well said, David. It must be hard for you to see those kids leave the safe place of your school for the summer. It makes me think about what we can do to create safe places for kids in the summer.

    Liked by 1 person

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