Steel Toe Shoes

Steel toe shoes are safety shoes reinforced at the toe to protect feet from falling objects. These were my daily wear as a project manager at my family’s construction company.

Although you’re not likely to find actual steel toe shoes on my feet these days, I’m still wearing them figuratively. I need my steel toe shoes when I’m going toe-to-toe with all that threatens our wholeness and interconnectedness: the forces of isolation and apathy, consumerism and corporate greed, social injustice and institutional racism.

My shoes remind me of the family I come from, of my history, of who I am. My shoes remind me of the importance of being prepared for unknown and unseen dangers ahead and around. My shoes help keep me grounded, balanced, and moving forward.

Construction is and always will be a big part of who I am, and the lessons I learned in construction inform my ministry today. I believe that complicated, challenging, seemingly-impossible visions can be brought to life. I believe that problems have solutions. I believe that conflict can be healthy. I believe in planning and teamwork and looking out for each other. I believe in rolling up our sleeves and making things happen.

And I believe that when we walk a difficult path, it doesn’t hurt to wear sturdy shoes.