Mid Week Devotional

Mid-Week Devotional

Wearing Socks to Bed

by Rev. Kim Skattum

Job 42:1-6

Then Job answered the LORD and said,

“I know that you can do all things,

and that no purpose of yours can be thwarted.

‘Who is this that hides counsel without knowledge?’

Therefore I have uttered what I did not understand,

things too wonderful for me, which I did not know.

‘Hear, and I will speak;

I will question you, and you make it known to me.’

I had heard of you by the hearing of the ear,

but now my eye sees you;

therefore I despise myself,

and repent in dust and ashes.”

The last time I wore socks to bed, as best I can remember, I was 6. And they really weren’t socks, they were footie PJ’s. Worse than socks. That rubber sole…ugh. Everyone knows it’s wrong to wear socks to bed. No halfway intelligent person wears what we were never designed to wear to bed, socks. It’s a fact.

Or is it?

I actually know good people who disagree with me, and actually admit they wear socks to bed. “My feet get cold”, they say. A little cheese with that whine?

When my 36 year old daughter died 12 weeks ago, I learned a few things about ministry and dogma that I wish I knew 30 years ago.

Subjective things I was dogmatic about that are actually, well, subjective. Here are 3 of them.

1. Religious talk about heaven and life eternal don’t help the hurting. What does help is presence. Simple presence with no words. Save the Spiritual stuff for later.

2. Never ask “What can I do for you”? All we do in asking that question is push responsibility for healing or helping onto the hurting. Don’t ask me what you can do for me or say, “If I can do anything, don’t hesitate to call”. Ask God what you can do for me and do that.

3. The pain isn’t over, or even lessened, a month or three after death. Keep the care going for as long as you can. Send a note, card, text, or message even a year later. It matters.

When I was a younger pastor I had a tendency to make subjective things objective. Including how I thought best to offer care for the bereaved. I think I know better now. But, damn, I wish it hadn’t taken my daughter’s death to open my eyes.

I relate to Job after his scolding by the LORD. “I have uttered what I did not understand,

things too wonderful for me, which I did not know.“ and, “therefore I despise myself,

and repent in dust and ashes.”

I really don’t care if you wear socks to bed. I will still think it odd and fettering. But I will not be dogmatic about it…or a host of other things. I will listen and love and laugh and cry with you. And probably not much more than that. Except pray. “Now my eyes have seen”, at least a little more clearly what it took too long for me to know. Or discover. God is merciful, and redemption/correction is better late than never. Right?

“Above all, keep loving one another earnestly, since love covers a multitude of sins.”

I Peter 4:8

(Rev. Kim Skattum, Pastor of Pastors)

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