working in retail has given me a view of the "other side" of the shopping experience. i work with people every day and help them to have a good (and hopefully successful!) shopping experience. i help people from different races, lifestyles, backgrounds, and marital statuses make choices. the choice of what to buy with thoughts in mind as to how it will be worn. most people come into the store to shop for pleasure or need, but some very few customers are there to shop because of a demand (i.e. a company's dress code). but no matter the reason, in some how or some way, each person has to make a choice. this skirt with that top? those shoes with these pants? long sleeve or 3/4 sleeve? vest or jacket? we've all heard the saying "the possibilities are endless" and yes, when shopping from a variety of clothing, the possibilities are endless... depending on who you are and what you are looking for.
when we are given the tools and/or necessary means in life to make a choice, the possibilities may very well seem endless. we have to take into account what we already know (or have) and make a choice from those "possibilities". we obviously can't DO everything, which relates to the fact that we obviously can't BUY all the pieces of clothing in the store (because why would we, and who has that much space or money?) everyone is different and what someone else likes, maybe no one likes; and what fits one person, won't necessarily fit another... literally and metaphorically.
so, "making the right decision is like finding the right pair of shoes. you want them to fit your feet good and hope they won't start to cause blisters anytime soon." (- a school director from the bloomington-normal area in regards to making choices) sometimes it's a blessing to have so much to choose from, but then at other times the experience creates fear and anxiety for a person. the process becomes an overstimulation of information and decisions and possible outcomes... and just like when shopping for shoes, we just hope we make the right choice!
i feel like my first real "shoe store" experience was making the choice to apply to ISU. without much looking around and really only knowing (1) it was near to peoria and (2) it offered a great education program, i made the decision. thankfully i was accepted and now here i am as a 2-weeks-in current student. also, deciding to go through IVHQ and to KENYA were also big decisions that when reflecting back, it seems like i knew what i was looking for and i just chose the shoe without seeing if it fit. i went with my instinct... and had the most wonderful experience in the end.
but bringing us back to this moment in time, i am out shopping a few stores looking for the perfect fit.
i desire wholehearted and intentional relationship and fellowship... small and large groups' captivating discussions of scripture... the feeling of being lost in worship and taken away to some secret heavenly place - what church will fit best?
i am passionate about children and teaching them, on all levels of learning... i want to be involved with my community... i want to reach out to the poor and broken and the widows and the orphans - what current and post-graduation opportunities (i.e. clubs and organizations) will fit best?
i know that with time, an instinct will reveal itself and my choices will get narrowed down. but until then, i am going to continue trying different shoes on and seeing how they fit. and ya know, those shoes may look great in the box but when you put them on they are tight and itchy and maybe even ugly... but if at some point the shoe does fit flawlessly, it's probably meant to be.
so, i just wonder... what kind of new shoes will i be wearing soon?
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