The Boy with the Broken Shoes - A Devotional By LeBron Keener
“He that oppresseth the poor reproacheth his Maker: but he that honoureth him hath mercy on the poor.”
(Proverbs 14:31 KJV)
It was a cold Monday morning at Sycamore Elementary, and the classroom buzzed with the usual chatter and scraped chair legs. Most of the kids were bundled up in fresh winter coats and name-brand sneakers. All except Eli.
Eli wore an old hand-me-down jacket two sizes too big and shoes with holes so wide you could see his mismatched socks. He never talked much. He kept to himself, always sitting at the edge of the lunch table, eating peanut butter on plain bread, no crusts, no juice box, no snack.
That morning, as the class lined up for recess, a boy named Carter snickered loud enough for others to hear.
“Look at Eli’s shoes! Are those even shoes or flappy flip-flops?”
A few kids laughed. Another added, “Bet his mom found those in the trash.”
Eli looked down at his feet and stayed silent.
But one girl, Clara, didn’t laugh. Her face tightened. She stepped out of line, walked over to Eli, and stood next to him.
“You can laugh if you want,” she said to the others, “but my grandma says mocking the poor is like mocking God.”
The laughter faded. Some looked uncomfortable. A few shuffled their feet.
Later that day, Clara took some of her saved-up birthday money and told her mom she wanted to buy a pair of shoes for Eli. Not to make a show of it, not to earn praise, but because love demanded more than silence.
When Eli opened the simple box the next day, his eyes widened. He didn’t say anything, just hugged her awkwardly and wiped his eyes with his sleeve.
Reflection:
It’s easy to laugh when you’re not the one being laughed at. But our words have power, and how we treat those with less says a lot about how we see God.
Scripture tells us that when we hurt the poor, we offend their Maker. But when we show compassion, we honor God. Eli’s worn-out shoes didn’t define him. But Clara’s kindness revealed something beautiful: the heart of Christ.
Prayer:
"Lord, forgive me when I judge others for what they have or don’t have. Help me see people the way You do—through eyes of mercy, not mockery. Teach me to speak with kindness, act with compassion, and honor You by honoring others. In Jesus’ name, amen."
Challenge:
This week, be on the lookout for someone who might be struggling, whether it’s with money, confidence, or acceptance. Say something kind. Sit with them. Share. Remind them, by your actions, that they matter, not because of what they wear, but because of who they are.
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