Now this was the custom in former times in Israel concerning redeeming and exchanging to confirm a transaction: the one took off a sandal and gave it to the other; this was the manner of attesting in Israel.

Ruth 4:7

What good is one shoe?

Ancient Israel had a unique custom when it came to relinquishing land. If one person decided they did not want to purchase land that they were next in line to obtain, they would take off their sandal and give it to a person who did want to purchase it. That’s how the transaction was done.

As customs go, this one is hardly practical, but it had meaning behind it. The relinquisher of the shoe was indicating that they no longer wanted to walk the land in question. They were letting it go.

Letting go is rarely such a nice and neat transaction. The people and things we no longer want in our lives don’t disappear for the cost of one Nike. You can’t disentangle yourself from every undesirable situation with the wave of a magic Birkenstock.

Emotionally, parting with people or things we have liked or loved can be a real challenge. When is it time to let go? When do you need to let go? The end of an unhealthy romantic partnership can be an agonizing decision. Giving up smoking or that weekend sixpack may be the best thing for you, but that doesn’t make it easy. Moving on, saying goodbye to the past and hello to new possibilities is risky and can be downright painful.

If making a change were as simple as giving up one of your Crocs, people would be making tough life choices like these with nary a care in the world. But it doesn’t work that way. Relinquishing what or who you have treasured can be a lot harder than passing up a deal on a plot of land.

Instead of giving up one of your shoes, why not buy a new pair for yourself? You’re walking away from something but you’re walking towards something else. A new pair of Sketchers won’t make everything better, but it may help comfort you as you take those first steps of letting go.

If you find it’s time to part ways with a situation, an item, or another person, some prayer might be in order. Practice careful discernment to make sure you are making the smart choice. But if it’s time to move on, know that Christ walks with you, steadying you,

and helping you achieve

New Balance.

Have a great week,

Mitch