5 Truths a Man's Boots Reveal about His Heart

Editor's Note: This inspiring article is a Selah Award Finalist.

A sure sign of a hardworking man is a pair of worn, leather work boots. As with many folks, blue-collar roots run deep in our family. Dad spent many days and nights underground operating a drill in the lead mines. On weekends, he was a part-time pastor. His worn leather boots were by the door when he wasn’t working or outside tending his garden.

My husband’s steel-toed work boots were also found by the door nearly every night after driving a roll-off truck all day. Now, my middle son leaves his boots by the door, too. He makes his living as a welder.

I’ve seen a lot of pairs of leather boots sitting by the door over the years. And I love the hardworking men in my family. But what do all of those boots say about them? Here are 5 truths a Godly man’s boots reveal about his heart:

Truth #1: He’s humble.

He may not love his job or even like it that much but he’s not too proud to do some good old-fashioned hard work. He thinks of others before himself and that’s why he works so hard.

He’s willing to do what God asks him to do and is thankful for everything God has given him.

Humble yourselves before the Lord, and he will lift you up. (James 4:10) 

Truth #2: He’s genuine.

A good man wearing worn, leather work boots is real. He doesn’t pretend to be something he’s not. He believes it’s always best to be truthful and kind.

He’s does the best job he can do with the day God has given him and knows he’s earned an honest living.

My steps have held to your paths; my feet have not stumbled. (Psalm 17:5)

Truth #3: He works hard.

He doesn’t mind getting grease under his fingernails or dirt on his hands. He sure doesn’t mind a farmer’s tan. He gets up at the crack of dawn or even when it’s still dark outside. He’s willing to do whatever it takes to get the job done.

At night, he hits the sack exhausted. He’s done his work with excellence and knows he represented God well with the work of his hands.

 All hard work brings a profit, but mere talk leads only to poverty. (Proverbs 14:23)

Truth #4: He’s a good provider.

He works overtime as often as he can get it. Some might think it’s easy to do manual labor but physical work is hard. It can take a toll on a body.

He deals with body aches and strained muscles because he knows he’s providing well for his family. A few back pains are worth it.

Give careful thought to the paths for your feet and be steadfast in all your ways. (Proverbs 4:26)

Truth #5: He loves his family.

A hard-working man loves his family. It’s them he’s thinking of when the alarm goes off and he forces himself out of bed on cold, winter mornings.

He thinks of them when he’s working overtime and driving home after a long day on the job. His heart is full of love when he sees his children. He’s thankful for his wife. Even though things aren’t always perfect, he knows he is blessed.

He’s a good dad and loves his family.  

You will eat the fruit of your labor; blessings and prosperity will be yours. Your wife will be like a fruitful vine within your house; your children will be like olive shoots around your table. Yes, this will be the blessing for the man who fears the Lord. (Psalm 128:2-4) 

Bonus Truth: He’s a servant at heart.

Jesus gave the greatest example of how to have a servant’s heart by washing the feet of his disciples. In John 13:1-17, we read how Jesus went about it. It’s interesting that Peter found it difficult to allow Jesus to wash his dirty feet. But when Jesus explained, he asked Jesus to not only wash his feet but to wash his hands and head, as well.

A lot like Peter, it seems that sometimes hard-working men find it difficult to allow others to do anything for them. But his heart is in the right place.  

The hardworking man demonstrates the heart of a servant.

• He serves God by seeking His will first in everything.
• He serves his wife by loving her and building a life together.
• He serves his children by providing for them and loving them unconditionally.
• He serves his boss and co-workers by working hard each day.
• He serves his fellow man by doing hard work – whatever that may be.

He may spend his life working hard. He may spend it wearing worn, leather work boots. But whether he wears boots to work or not, he’s a man with a strong desire to be like Jesus and to serve others.  

Life goes by fast. Before he knows it, his children are grown with families of their own. He’s not only a father but also a grandfather.

He’ll enter a different stage of life and get to enjoy the fruits of his many years of labor.

When he retires, he’ll still wear those old boots. Not because he needs them for work but because they’ve been a big part of his life. He finds a bit of himself in his worn leather work boots.

When he grows old and his mind is frail with age, he will still want to wear those old, worn-out boots. Or maybe he’ll just wear one boot and a tennis shoe.

But the fact that he is still wearing the boot is a sure sign that he was a hardworking man, a good provider and a very good father. 

“His master replied, 'Well done, good and faithful servant! You have been faithful with a few things; I will put you in charge of many things. Come and share your master's happiness!' – Matthew 25:21

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