Socks Happen
Socks are an inevitable occurrence in our daily lives. We put on socks. We wear socks. We receive socks as gifts.
I have many socks myself. A few socks I have match other socks and call themselves a pair. There are also single socks hanging out together in my sock drawer, which for my socks, is the preferred place to hang out.
There is harmony there, almost like a sock commune with all the socks living in unity with one another. There are single socks, paired socks, and mismatched pairs. There are tall socks, short socks, and socks with toes. There are dress socks, and socks with non-skid tread on the bottom. And in the back, there are those favorite, worn-out socks with the holes in just the right places.
The single socks are accepted just as well as a pair of socks and there is no envy or wishing for mates. Socks do not separate once they are matched. Paired socks never share their mates, nor do they pair off with other socks – in short, there is no sock swapping.
When socks are mismatched and paired together, even though they may be different colors, have unmatched lines, or are unalike in some orientation, they are still accepted as a pair in the sock drawer. They are never consulted about their diverse backgrounds, and their heritage is not an issue with the other socks.
There is no distinction between tall socks and small socks. The socks with separate toes do not act superior, and their unique quality does not separate them or make them stand out in the sock crowd. The socks with decorative snaps and buttons are not ridiculed, nor do they overly adorn themselves with extra snaps. The socks with pictures or emblems rub heals with the bleached white tube socks and there is no animosity between them.
The dress socks are intermingled with the sport socks, the socks with non-skid tread, and the “blue-collar” socks. There are a few pairs of slipper styled socks next to a black sheer pair of socks that came with a tuxedo rental. The thermal socks are comfortable with the argyles.
My favorite, worn-out socks are stuffed to the back of the sock drawer. This is a coveted position, a place of honor among socks. These blessed socks are not shoved aside and forgotten, but instead placed in a special location for safe keeping. These are the respected socks, the ones the others in the drawer use as role models. These are the wise old socks, not the foolish ones that were tied in a knot and given to the dog.
The socks never cluster together to bad mouth or talk about another sock… none are singled out or slandered. Socks do not spread rumors or murmur against other socks (although they may discuss a few shoes here and there, but that’s considered shop talk).
Socks accept one another as they are and submit to their position in sockhood. The socks know their purpose: they cover and protect my feet. The socks are in the sock drawer to serve my purpose – they know and accept this principle. No sock would ever consider itself better or above me, for surely this sock would be tied in a knot and cast to the dogs. This would not happen – socks know better.
I never thought there was so much to learn from socks. As I turn to my Bible, I find some sound principles in dealing with our position in life. All of the law and all of the Scripture are based on two founding standards.
Matthew 22:37-40 shows us an answer to the question, “which is the greatest commandment in the Law?” Jesus replies, “…Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind. This is the first and greatest commandment. And the second is like it: Love your neighbor as yourself. All the Law and the Prophets [are based] on these two commandments.”
There is no way I would ever try to equate a human life to that of a sock. Our lives are precious to our Creator, and just as precious to one another. Yet it seems too many times we lose sight of our Lord, and soon after we forget our value and treat each other as if we were no more than socks.
I know it is a struggle for me, although this morning I started my day right – right after I slipped on my socks and remembered to pray. I also prayed, in so many words, I would not get tied in a knot and thrown to the dogs.
Glenn Sasscer
www.glennsasscer.com
