The scene is a shoemaker’s shop in Toubacouta, Senegal.  As the craftsman worked on my floppy sole several weeks ago, I sat and marvelled.

We’re so many colours, we humans … both inside and out.  How can anything in the world be more luscious than turquoise?  And yet a reddish brown fills my heart with delight.

We’re so many sizes – tall or short, fat or thin.  The shortest of us can stand so tall when courage is called for.  And when our foot slides easily into a sandal, somewhere there is a sweet companion who fits the other one perfectly.  Have we found this beloved? Perhaps not.

And how about styles?  Boots that lace up to the shin … brown loafers that invite the foot to loaf … high heels for the party … cozy slippers for the evening hours.  Walk down the street in Ghent and you’ll see crop tops, capes, striped pants and hijabs … plus the magnificent beings who occupy these garments.

I remember hearing in my Bible days about Jesus washing his disciples’ feet.  Many “religious” people were aghast that this Jewish preacher would stoop so low.

But Jesus knew.  The feet are our foundation.  They need to be revered

Like the rest of us