Her feet were so tiny when I first met her more than nine years ago in Kostroma, Russia.

And as I slipped them into those pink little shoes that had I purchased in Kiev

    more than a year before

    I marveled at the perfect fit.

God knew that they were her shoes

    way before I did.

He always knows.

Now, today her feet have grown.

Yes, I can hardly keep up with Jenny’s growing body.

Almost up to my nose

   and wearing some of my clothes these days.

This past week

   the rubber on her shoes began to split.

“I’ll need a new pair soon.”

She showed me her shoes.

Immediately I remembered an old pair of mine that still had some life in them.

“Try on those shoes of mine in the closet,” I said.

Maybe. Just maybe.

 She quickly went to find them

   and came back with them on her feet

   and the biggest smile on her face.

“They fit fine, Mom. Look.”

You would have thought she’d won the lottery.

So much happiness shining.

My shoes? Already, this little pumpkin that started out weighing 1 ½ pounds

   is now wearing my shoes.

Can it be?

Then it hit me.

She’s walking in my shoes.

I am her example in more ways than one.

What a huge responsibility to parent.

What a holy calling.

Only with His Grace and Truth can I possibly be the example that she needs.

Father, help me to follow close to you.

   To lead my daughters to walk in love and obedience to your Word.

    To live humbly

         eager to serve

         looking to please You in everything I do.

Yes, they’re both walking in my shoes these days.

Hard to believe

   but constantly giving me reminders to follow closely in His Steps.