Barefoot Beginnings

Whom have I in heaven but you?

And there is nothing on earth that I desire besides you.

My flesh and my heart may fail,

but God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever.

                                         Psalm 73:25-26

Today's post is the first of (hopefully) many. :]

But to warm us up, I just want to let you know, wonderful reader, why this blog is here... why it has that name... what I hope I can do with this blog... and where that background picture was taken.

First of all, I have been given by God many experiences, especially in traveling. I know each one of us has lived different lives and made different choices, but I'm sure most of us can similarly agree that it is much better to share our experiences than it is to stash them into the corners of our hearts, only to indulge ourselves with our given memories. Sometimes we should keep things secret, yet sometimes we should share, because maybe someone needs to know your experience to shed light into their life. And sometimes it can be great Light.

So, I want my experiences to be blessings for you. Maybe to laugh, maybe to ponder, maybe to be encouraged, maybe to just see something new. It will definitely take a loooong time before I can keep y'all astounded each time there's a new post. But you'll keep reading, right? :]

Secondly, why in the world would we want to be barefoot on earth?? Why would someone name a blog like that?

Quite frankly, God created us physically barefoot (fact). Yes, I pride in the fact that my father is a Shoe Genius (fact, and later to be posted about), but after all the research & studies done about shoes and how they are so good for you, the scientists do say being barefoot is best. (fact? Ask my dad, if you don't trust my amateur knowledge. :]) 

Shoes can increase a runner's performance. 

Shoes can decrease pain in a nurse's tired joints.

Shoes can make you look so good.

Shoes can make you look so bad.

But remove the shoes, and you are barefoot. Sometimes you can't wear shoes... 

like when you are strolling the sandy beaches of California (not Oregon ;]) 

or when you are going to bed (unless... you have reason to? You don't)

or when you dive into a pool (you're not a diver all the time)

or when you rest your feet by the fireplace (we don't promote burning shoes)

or when you feel like frolicking through a field! (Even Toms can't fulfill your hippie desire, then)

Bottom line, shoes are additions. They help keep your feet protected (except strappy stilettos- those are tripping traps), and shoes might even help keep your foot in form. But, before shoes were created, God made our bare feet to be exactly perfect for us humans.

(I think that since we sinned, we started needing shoes.)

Look at this biblical example of being barefoot before God:

"Then he said, 'Do not come near; take your sandals off your feet, for the place on which you are standing is holy ground.'" - Exodus 3:5 ESV

No additions, no trying to perform better, no trying to feel better before God. Coming exactly as we are to God, for Him to be the biggest impact that changes us and for Him to receive all credit for anything holy. He is holy and cannot take anything less, so we mustn't even try.

In the same way, I think we Christians should be barefoot before God in our daily lives, simply & sincerely embracing His will in our lives. We shouldn't try to perform better in our own ways, try to pity ourselves, or try to look better than we really are, as a means of glorifying ourselves. We should walk humbly before Him and trust in God's perfect ways in order to be perfected for His glory. The Holy Spirit will work in us, guaranteed*!

Thirdly, like previously said, I hope this blog spurs your imagination, gives you desires to do new things & visit new places, sends you encouragement for your moment, or even makes you go into editing mode on my writing (hey, keeps your brain working!) But most importantly, I hope you want to embrace God barefoot in your life, and that you will see how you can share your experiences with others, too. Who knows... maybe God will send you on missions, either to your office or to Goa, India, and you can shed Light into some one's life.

We are blessed in order to bless, right?

Finally, the background picture.... :] 

I will be starting my first series on August 8th that will last until August 22nd, called "A Year Ago Today", covering my trip to Europe in 2012. So, if you stay tuned on mi posts, you can see how I experienced Europe, one day at a time!

As a sneak peak, I'll let you know that the picture was taken in Switzerland, right outside the border of Liechtenstein. :]

Can't wait to share with y'all. :]

*Holy Spirit is in those who believe the Gospel by God's grace (Acts 19:2, 1 Corinthians 12:3, Titus 3:5)