We replace things more often than we try to fix old or worn items. 

It may be partly due to how things are made these days. There is less craftsmanship in many items we buy now. 

At one time a washing machine would last 25 years or more. Now they say if your washer is still working after 8 to 10 years, you’re doing good. 

Styles also change and you want the latest. So you replace your worn out kitchen table instead of refinishing it. There’s a lot less time involved in replacing versus fixing. It costs more but it seems the benefits outweigh the price tag in many ways.

Shoes fit into that replace versus fix category.

I remember when I was a kid I had two pairs of shoes – running shoes (sneakers) and a pair of dress shoes. I wore my sneakers every day so they wore out quickly. 

But I’m older and don’t wear out shoes the same way. In fact, my running shoes hardly ever get worn. Shoes I wear more now – casual shoes, golf shoes, hiking shoes and sandals that end up being my every day shoes in the summer.

I have another pair of shoes, sneakers, that are only for a certain activity. I wear them for nothing else. In fact, I’m not 100% sure, but I think I inherited them from my dad. For years they sat unused in the garage. Now I wear them to cut the lawn. That’s it.

How they became my grass cutting shoes is simple. I had an old pair of shoes that got so worn out it was dangerous wearing them close to my lawnmower.

This pair of shoes from my dad have been great. They were in good shape and have lasted for years.

But at the end of last year the sole on one shoe started to separate from the upper – a sure sign to toss them. 

I don’t have an old pair of shoes to replace them with and, other than the separation, they are still in good shape.

My wife Lily had a similar issue with summer shoes she really liked. It was just that the soles were wearing out. She didn’t want to look for a new pair. She liked what she had, but it was difficult to find a shoemaker to fix them. One said no, he wouldn’t or couldn’t do it. 

Finally she found a cobbler who said he would fix her shoes. It almost cost the price of a new pair but she wanted to save these shoes. So she paid the price and can continue wearing them.

Me with my grass cutting shoes? Well, it’s a little more rudimentary. I bought some shoe-goo and will be sticking that sole to the upper. It won’t ever separate again. 

But I better get doing it because I need to cut my grass soon.

Here’s the thing: We are so accustomed to discard the old and move on to the new. That applies to how we think about social issues, moral issues and also about God and the Bible. Let’s agree there is nothing wrong with the old; it doesn’t always have to be replaced by something new. The Bible has been around for centuries, yet it offers truth and help that if we apply to our lives today will guarantee a blessing. Dust off your old Bible and read it. Experience the goodness of God’s message to us. 

That’s life!

Paul

Question: What could you fix that you’re tempted to ditch? Leave your comments and questions below.

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