Tim Wildmon

AFA president

August 2001 – All five of us Wildmons went shoe shopping the other day. Alison and I have each worn the same shoe size for several years now, me being 38 years of age and she 37, so we can wear them longer. But kids are a different story, as all parents know. Wriley, 13, is our girl. Wesley, 12, and Walker, 7, are our boys. Their feet are growing, and my pocketbook is shrinking. Literally, we are buying new shoes every four to five months for each of them. I’ve actually walked in their bedrooms at night and seen the sheets move down at the end of the bed. It’s an amazing sight.

“But we just bought new shoes,” is what I say every time the subject rolls around. 

“Kids grow up, Tim,” says Alison.

“Well, you’re their mother, make them stop,” I say.

I’ve suggested we cut open the toes of the shoes when they begin to feel tight so as to relieve the pressure, get a few more miles out of them and, most of all, save us some money. Thus far, this idea has gone down in a 4-1 vote even with several recounts. To kids, it seems, doing this would be the equivalent of my wearing black knee-high socks with tennis shoes and plaid Bermuda shorts on the beach. (I’ve told Alison when and if I ever do this to please have someone come take me away to a home somewhere.) 

“Tell you what, Dad,” said one of the kids when I suggested this idea once again the other day. “If you will lead by example, we will think about following in your footsteps.”
Well. That’s not fair, is it? I’m paying for all these shoes. Besides, I can’t show up at work with the toes cut out of my penny loafers. Can you imagine?

“What’s up with the half shoes, Tim?” a co-worker might ask.
“Oh, just setting an example for my kids,” I might respond.
“Right, okay. Is this, something that makes you more spiritual or…”

Which brings me to a question. Whose steps are you following in? I’m convinced we are all following someone else’s model for living. 

Have you seen the kids with pierced ears, eyebrows, and other body parts, and who dress in all black clothing? With the white make-up, they look like corpses. The gothic look, they call it. Real attractive. (I must say, they are going to have a hard time getting a job when they finish school.) But these kids are modeling their appearance, and some their lifestyle, after shock-rocker Marilyn Manson and others in that genre of music.

Again, I ask you as I ask myself, in whose footsteps are you following? Is it Jesus Christ? 

I remember reading In His Steps, the classic book by Charles Sheldon, about 10 years ago. It helped me understand the importance of following the example of Jesus in my everyday living. Another book that influenced me in the same way was The Imitation of Christ, written about 500 years ago by Thomas a` Kempis.

What about America? What model did the founders follow in establishing our republic? Remember, there had never been a country quite like the vision our founders had.

Do you know who said this: “Whosoever shall introduce into public affairs the principles of primitive Christianity will change the face of the world.” It was Benjamin Franklin. 

Who said: “It is impossible to rightly govern the world without God and the Bible.” Answer: George Washington. 
It should be obvious to anyone who honestly studies the history of the founding of our country that the United States of America was established on biblical principles by people who had a biblical worldview. Life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness are biblical values. 

Were the founders perfect in their vision? No. An example is slavery. But it was the biblically sound founding documents which eventually led to abolition. 

America was a God-fearing country for nearly two centuries. In general, we followed biblical principles. However, today we are a God-mocking country. We at American Family Association, along with other fine groups and ministries, are trying to call America back to her roots. Back to God and His moral standards. Back to greatness. 

One way we are doing this is with our In God We Trust poster campaign. (See here.) I believe this is an idea whose time has come. I pray that this campaign will take hold all over the country. 

Well, we did buy everyone shoes that day. In fact, something positive happened while we were there. Alison won a free chicken sandwich because she had the heaviest purse in the shoe store. Sixteen pounds. Men weigh fish, women weigh purses, I suppose. Sounds like a good title for a book.