Sock It To Me!

It’s getting deep in here! The socks! Crimanetly (is that a word??)! Ever since posting about wearing mismatched socks, it began to hit me that hey, this is more prominent than I had originally thought. I’ve been told that teenagers wear mismatched socks all the time. It’s a fashion trend. Well, okie dokie! But that’s not why I do it. I mean c’mon, I’m forty-seven-years-old, a grandmother for Pete’s sake, so what purpose would it serve me to wear mismatched socks…or even give them away for that matter? Just one word: Jesus.

My #2 daughter, Katie. Helping me mismatch & fold socks.

Mismatched socks, for me, are a ministry tool. They have become a ministry all by their own little mismatched selves, bless them. Oh I joke about it, but the fact of the matter is, they are a conversation starter. And some women don’t understand the concept of the socks. Many more don’t even want to be given a pair of them. But here’s where it gets interesting; the ones who do receive a pair are elated to get them! Why? Because they have a story, because they took a leap of faith and shared that story, and because some out-of-the-box lady wearing mismatched socks came up to them, loved them, and listened to their story…then gave them a pair of mismatched socks. Ultimately, the giving of the socks was a confirmation and an entry for them into the unofficial Mismatched Sock Club.

Is there really a Mismatched Sock Club? I don’t know! It could be that I just invented it. But then again, we are ALL mismatched socks. Not one of us is exactly alike. Why? Because God made us all individuals, all different, all with different gifts and talents. We are all unique, just like the mismatched socks. Trust me. And while my story is different from yours, you still have a story. My story may help you, but your story may help someone else, and their story may help someone else! It’s a snowball effect, or it should be.

In his grace, God has given us different gifts for doing certain things well… ~Romans 12:6(a) NLT

We should all be helping one another instead of knocking each other down, or encouraging each other to stay down once we’re there. I don’t want to get down again. I spent too many years in that black hole, that pit of despair. I got out for good in May 2012, and I’m doing my best to help others out of the pit, too. Won’t you join me in helping other mismatched socks get out of the pit?

You don’t have to wear mismatched socks to encourage someone else. In fact, it’s not even about the socks! I just use them to remind myself that God plucked me out of the Laundry Basket of Life, shook me out, and said, “I can use this one!” Then I give them to others to encourage them, too.

My tote of mismatched socks…not even close to being done!

Therefore encourage one another and build each other up… ~1 Thessalonians 4:18(a) HCSB

God loves you SO much! He wants to use you to do great things. You have something special that He has instilled in you, and you are longing to use that. But maybe someone is telling you that you can’t. Well, maybe it’s time to listen to the One who gave you that gift. Listen to the Spirit of the Lord and see what HE says for you to do. Then step out in faith. I promise that you’ll be glad that you did.

Shelley Wilburn

Shelley Wilburn has been writing since the age of twelve. She loves stories and adventures, and often finds herself getting into mischief with any one of her six grandchildren. She has written several articles and devotionals over the years for various newspapers, women's magazines, and newsletters. She has also co-authored devotionals. Shelley began writing full-time in 2012 after being healed of over 40 years of depression and anxiety. Using her love of writing, and wearing mismatched socks, Shelley has developed a unique ministry of encouraging others using biblical truths and stories from her own personal life. When not writing, you can find Shelley and her husband of over 30 years, D.A. zipping down the road in their newest adventure-maker, a bright orange, Mustang convertible Shelley has laughingly dubbed The Pony.