Are you Flip Flopping out over something?

I posted this photo on my Facebook feed in two places on Sunday morning.  I posted it on my regular feed, and I posted in a Facebook group for Doctor's wives ("LDW").  They are not members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day saints.  

I posed the following question: Are these appropriate to wear to church?

I expected that a few people might get on and say, "Oh sure."  Or that a few people might say, "No, probably not."  I did not expect that over 100 people would respond to the post in the doctor's wives group, and that over 50 people would comment on the post in my personal feed.  To give you a frame of reference, I only have 724 "friends" and my normal post usually generates around five or if I'm lucky, ten comments.  

The interesting thing to me is that on the LDW site, I read all the comments.  100 out of 100 comments said "YES, wear them."  Some said, "Why are you even asking?" To which I responded that typically people don't wear flip flops to my church congregation, but that since I worked in the two hour nursery program for toddlers, I was tired of wearing heels.  I explained I was wondering whether these were fancy enough to wear.  Their comments changed in tenor at that point, and lots of them commented (without knowing what church I attend) that "if your church doesn't allow me to wear something comfortable while serving, you should find another church."  

When I read through the comments on my personal feed, the feedback was very different.  Although roughly 2/3 of the comments agreed with the unanimous tone of the LDW website, a very decided 1/3 of the commenters firmly believed these were flip flops, and that flip flops were unacceptable.  People said that I would not want to meet God wearing flip flops (we believe that our church is His house) and that I should not wear them to church.  NOW, let me be clear on this:  I am not even one percent upset by these comments.  Indeed, I specifically asked for these people's feedback and opinions.  Not a single one was given viciously, and in fact, I love every one of the people who posted these things.  This is not in any way a rant.  I am not angry, hurt, offended, or anything like unto it.  

But the responses did get me thinking.  On this topic, there are obviously some very established feelings and opinions.  I used to always bear my testimony on the first Sunday of the month that I believed the "gospel" to be true, not the "church," because the church includes people and they are not always correct.  I felt at the time that this differentiation was a critical one.  People are wrong and they get confused and they let you down.  While those things are still true, my opinion about it has changed.  People do let you down, they do get confused, and they do get offended.  But people are also the absolute REASON for Christ's church.  Without the sick, there is no need for a physician.  We would not need a Savior if we were not all flawed.  

This morning, I was going to the grocery store.  As I frequently do, I chose the wrong pair of shoes for my fickle four year old.  She wanted to wear her flip flops, not her crocs.  (Oh dear, let's not all get talking about crocs and their acceptability.)  My Emmy proceeded to sit on the floor and freak out about my choice of footwear.  It hit me all at once that we are just like my adorable toddler.  We get hung up sometimes on things that might not really matter.  Is showing our Heavenly Father that we love Him and respect His house and the day He has set aside for worship important?  Absolutely.  Not a single soul meant to imply that it wasn't important.  

But I'm not sure my little question merited so much interest, so much time, so much (possible) angst. I don't think people were that upset with me, but I do think this might have been a sore point for some  people in the past, judging by comments.  That got me thinking--how many other things like this have left us flipping out over something that doesn't matter?  Something that our Heavenly Father does not care about, and we should not care about, but we spend a lot of time on it anyway?  

Is there anything in your life right now that has you Flip Flopping out?  

I'd like to leave you with a final thought.  The Savior says the following in John Chapter 14:

   

 27 Peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you: not as the world giveth, give I unto you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid.

The next time you or someone else you love starts to Flip Flop out over something, pause and take a breath.  God wants us to have His peace.  He would not want us to be so worried about things that don't matter.  There are so many things in this life that do not matter, and I think whether you flip or flop your way to church is one of them.  You need to show your respect to God, and church is not at all like going to the beach for the morning, but if you wear comfortable shoes and you sit reverently, sing soulfully, and wear respectful clothing, I doubt He really cares what is on your feet.  I think there are innumerable other things out there like this, things we flip out about.  The biggest problem is that we are losing something Christ gave us whenever we do.  

We are losing His peace, we are losing His Spirit, and we are allowing our hearts to be troubled.  So if the answer to my question above is yes, then take a step back.  Say a little prayer and let not your heart be troubled.  His peace is a gift.  Use it.