For Sale – Baby Shoes “Never Worn”

“For sale: baby shoes, never worn.” is a six-word story allegedly written by Ernest Hemingway many years ago. As I read the half-dozen words, my heart immediately cried out, as I envisioned a mother weeping at the loss of her baby. Whether a piece of short fiction created by a great writer, or just an unsubstantiated anecdote credited to Hemingway, we apparently will never know.

One person was overheard mumbling, “Won’t Need These Anymore” as she tossed a pair of brand-new baby shoes into the Goodwill box. The observer noted she was holding back tears, as she swallowed hard.

The grieving parents, at least, are symbolic of events in the lives of countless people. For nine months this family must have anticipated the joy (and challenges) of loving and caring for a squealing bundle of wiggles and joy. The nursery was prepared.  The grandparents were anticipating sharing the wee-one for a few hours at a time, only then to return the infant back to the parents. No more midnight alerts for rocking, walking, or caring for a child these days. Let the parents have their sleep disturbed.

The delivery date arrives. Whether the baby is stillborn or dies shortly after birth, we leave it to your imagination. Never-the-less, the anticipated mountain top experience becomes a time of despair and grief. Perhaps the grieving couple sit in the darkness near the now unneeded crib, holding hands, and wondering how we will we move forward. The emptiness cancelled their joy. Dreams and future plans were shattered.  Life has low moments for each of us. Memories will exist for ever in the minds of the parents.

Paul, the apostle, takes a few moments to chastise the Christians in Corinth for forgetting. In fact, he has a pair of six-word stories. In 1 Corinthians 11:17 his first message is, “I have no praise for you.” What have those followers done to have a spiritual leader make such a startling statement? How would you react if told, “I have no praise for you?”  Would you flinch, scream, and stomp out of the meeting, or quickly ask for forgiveness and better understanding? Few of us genuinely enjoy receiving strong criticism.

Word apparently had reached Paul that there were divisions in the church when members gathered. He acknowledges that people will have differences, but he reminded them that when you are preparing to partake in the Lord’s Supper, which is not a time for discord, or even for eating your own lunch goodies. To make matters even more repugnant, word reached Paul that the rich had dinner, while others went hungry, and some got drunk. He verbally “spanks” them.

Paul continues in the rest of chapter eleven with a bit of history, relating the purpose of the Lord’s Supper.

He reminded the Corinthians that just before His betrayal, Christ gave thanks and broke bread. Christ said the bread represented His body, which would be broken for them, for us, and for all who follow.

And then the next six-word sermon. “Do this in remembrance of me” (I Corinthians 11:24). Remembrance is the key word. The parents’ memories of death and grief will be part of their burden to bear for all time. Our remembrance of Christ not only includes painful memories, as we think of the trauma He suffered from the trial until His burial, BUT also includes a time to celebrate the memories of His resurrection from the stone enclosure.

To make those memories even more joyful, we must acknowledge that His death was a sacrifice for all. He paid the penalty for us, and now, by His grace, we have a stupendous promise for which to look forward. Paul opens the curtain for all people, yes for everyone who is a follower, to take time to remember. But verse thirty-three gives the divisive group of Corinthian followers one last reminder. Eat your pancakes or eggs at home. Come, all of you, to celebrate Christ and partake of His memory celebration as you break the memorial bread and   juice together.  Yes, rich, and poor, people of every race, age, and nationality may participate in this joyful memory