Bronzed baby shoes! Does anyone do that anymore? Though hard
to read, my name and birthdate are painted in gold along the toes of the stiff,
preserved baby shoes in the picture. Way back in 1954, I wore those shoes as I
learned to walk. At the time, they were supple, white leather.
After I outgrew the shoes, my grandmother followed the
custom of the time and sent them away to be preserved. Though the company that
bronzed my shoes are probably no longer in operation, The Bronzery continues that
tradition today.
Why have a baby’s shoes bronzed? According to familytree.com,
part of the reason is because the little shoes evoke nostalgia. Looking at the
shoes reminds parents of when their child was small. The bronzed shoes freeze a
special moment in time, and make parents think about when their baby took his
or her very first steps—an obviously memorable milestone! A pair of bronzed
baby shoes instantly becomes a keepsake and family heirloom.
Any keepsake—a ring, a flag, a photograph, a seashell, a
pair of bronzed shoes, etc.—can help us recall noteworthy moments we might
otherwise rarely take the time to think about. Life is busy for all of us. Current
responsibilities tend to crowd out everything else in our minds, so a physical
reminder of an important, past event is a good thing.
God often used keepsakes to help His people remember what He
had done for them—tassels on garments (Numbers 15:39-41), 12 stones from the
middle of the Jordon River (Joshua 4:1-9), the rainbow (Genesis 9:1-17), the
Passover Festival (Exodus 12:1-13), and the Lord’s Supper (Matthew 26:26-29)
are just a few examples.
For many Christians today, a cross serves as a memento of
the most significant event in all of time and history. Wall hangings, carvings,
jewelry, and other cross décor have been crafted to remind us of the price
Jesus paid for the forgiveness of our sins.
Pictured is one of my favorite crosses, a gift from a
parishioner when we moved from one pastorate to another. The same man had
fashioned a huge version of this cross for the gymnasium of our church where,
for generations to come, it will draw their focus to Jesus, whether while
playing basketball, enjoying a meal, or participating in worship.
Just as bronzed baby shoes are the catalyst for a story of
first steps, keepsakes of faith present an opportunity for us to share with
others what God has done in our lives. What is one of your favorite keepsakes
of your faith? What is the story behind it?
Be encouraged!
Pam
