Foot Dust

I’ve been so blessed to share special time at Maywood Christian Camp with all my nieces.  Those are some of my sweetest memories of them.

One year my oldest niece, Kelsie had a top bunk. Now all girls may not want to sleep in a top bunk; but they all want to climb on the top and sit with their friends during free time.

Kelsie is very friendly and outgoing. She never minded if the others got on her bunk. The girls would talk and giggle together on her bed.

In the old cabins, there was an opening at the top of the wall that separated our cabin from the one next door.  By standing on the bunk, they could peek over at the girls next door. It must have been fun because they did this every day.

Standing up on a bed means dirty feet end up stepping all over the sheets and covers of said bed. One night, Kelsie looked on her bed and noticed evidence of feet having been there.  Frustrated, she said, “Hey, y’all keep leaving foot dust on my bed.” Kelsie began brushing off her bed.  

My co-counselor and I looked at each other and laughed quietly. “Foot dust” was a new one for us.  

That was years ago, and I am never at camp that I don’t think about foot dust at least once during the week.

Just as Kelsie could clearly see the evidence of her friend’s presence on her bed, so we can easily see the evidence of other people’s influence in our lives. This is sometimes a good thing and sometimes a bad thing.

When we involve ourselves with other Christians and participate in church activities – our actions will become more righteous. Our faith will be stronger.  Surrounding ourselves with good people helps us to be better people.

However, if we aren’t careful, our more worldly friends can lead us into temptation. Sin may become more attractive – and more easily accessible. Before we know it, our bed has been trampled and a lot of foot dust is left behind.

This is why we always tell our children to choose their friends wisely.  As adults, we should realize we aren’t immune to peer pressure.  We can’t completely isolate ourselves or our children from the world. But we can carefully guard our hearts and our minds.

Don’t allow others to affect our walk with Christ.  Remember, Jesus always comes first.

We do not have to be rude or judgmental.  There are ways we can kindly and lovingly choose to bow out of worldly activities others participate in.  We have to do this – not just for the sake of our own soul; but for the sake of those who may be looking to us as an example.

Proverbs 25:26 – “Like a muddied spring or a polluted fountain is a righteous man who gives way before the wicked.”

Our actions are the evidence of who we allow to influence us.  Are we letting others leave foot dust in our beds?

Christ above all things - Robin