“In March of 2011, Japan suffered a high magnitude earthquake followed by a devastating tsunami. I attended church as usual on the first Sunday in April, less than two weeks after Scott’s move to heaven. The worship music was uplifting, and Pastor Brown delivered an inspiring message. Then something very special happened. He invited the congregation to take off their shoes and bring them up front, stacking them across the stage. All of the shoes would be donated to the survivors in Japan, most of whom had lost everything. He said he knew we were probably wearing our favorite shoes and he was asking us to make a small sacrifice to help those in great need.

I felt a punch in my abdomen and I winced in pain as I looked down at the silver and burgundy pair of Asics I was wearing. Scott had taken me to an athletic store in Mishawaka and waited patiently inside while the store assistant observed my gait in the parking lot. She had measured my foot and suggested the shoe styles that would fit my needs. I had tried on three different styles, and the Asics had fit the best. These were the most expensive athletic shoes I had ever worn and they were a gift from Scott.

Tears welled up as I untied my shoes and removed them from my feet. I stood up, cradling the shoes in my arms, and followed other members to the front of the church. I prayed as I walked forward down the aisle that God would deliver these shoes to someone who needed to feel His love in a profound way, just as I had received tremendous love from my husband through his many gifts. When I returned to my seat, a woman sitting a few seats over asked me what we were going to do now. Smiling through my tears, I answered that we were going to leave the church in our sock feet.”

(book excerpt)