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From the Reverend Kate Bottley:

I love the January sales and this time last year managed to secure a pair of sparkly boots from a well known high store retailer for the bargain price of £3. Ok, ok so because of my tiny feet they were from the children’s department but they were a thing of great beauty and they made me happy every time I put them on my tootsies.

But on a drizzly afternoon last week as I skipped along in my disco diva footwear, I noticed to my horror that my beautiful boots had a massive split in them. These were the boots I had on my feet at my friend’s birthday when I had the best night ever and danced until the lights came up in the club, these were the boots I’d worn to my teenagers opening night when she sang the solo and made me cry. These Zoe, were the boots I wore when I met Kylie. So as I stared down at my rapidly soggying feet to see them now beyond repair the sparkle went from my step and I was instantly bereft. I’m not ashamed to say my lip wobbled.

It shouldn’t come as any surprise to know that the Bible has nothing to say about the importance of fabulous sequinned footwear, but it does tell us that Jesus was a big on walking with others. Time and time again in the stories we hear of him, he walks alongside people, listening to their stories, sharing his own, building relationship and community. Friendship happens when we are alongside each other. As a philosopher once said ‘Don’t walk behind me. I may not lead. Don’t walk in front of me, I may not follow. Just walk beside me and be my friend.’

I need to remember, beautiful though the boots were, it’s not the boots, or the bargain or the glitter that made them but the experiences I had while wearing them and the people I met. It’s not the sequins on my shoes that puts the sparkle in my stride and the glitter in my gait but rather who I get to walk those steps with.

But having said all that, promise me that if you do see anything like them in this season’s sale, you will grab me a pair won’t you? Size 4…