Shoes in church
I showered and
shaved…………. I adjusted my tie.
I got there and
sat…………. In a pew just in time.
Bowing my head in
prayer……… As I closed my eyes.
I saw the shoe of the man
next to me….. Touching my own. I sighed.
With plenty of room
on either side…… I thought, ‘Why must our soles touch?’
It bothered me, his shoe touching mine… But it didn’t bother him much.
A prayer
began: ‘Our Father’…………. I thought,
‘This man with the shoes has no pride.
They’re dusty, worn, and
scratched. Even worse, there are holes on the
side!’
‘Thank You
for blessings,’ the prayer went on.
The shoe man
said…………… A quiet ‘Amen.’
I tried to focus on the
prayer……. But my thoughts were on his shoes
again.
Aren’t we
supposed to look our best. When walking through
that door?
‘Well, this certainly isn’t it,’ I thought,
Glancing toward the floor.
Then the prayer was ended……….. And the songs of
praise began.
The shoe man was certainly loud…… Sounding
proud as he sang.
His voice lifted the rafters……… His
hands were raised high.
The Lord could surely hear. The shoe
man’s voice from the sky.
It was time for the offering…….
And what I threw in was steep.
I watched as the shoe man
reached… Into his pockets so deep.
I saw what was pulled
out………. What the shoe man put in.
Then I heard a soft
‘clink’ . As when silver hits tin.
The sermon really bored
me……… To tears, and that’s no lie.
It was the same for the
shoe man… For tears fell from his eyes.
At the end of the
service……. As is the custom here.
We must greet new
visitors, And show them all good cheer.
But I felt moved
somehow…………. And wanted to meet the shoe man.
So after the closing prayer…….. I reached over and
shook his hand.
He was old and his skin was dark… And his hair was truly
a mess.
But I thanked him for coming………. For being our
guest.
He said, ‘My names’ Charlie……….. I’m glad
to meet you, my friend.’
There were tears in his eyes…….. But he had
a large, wide grin.
‘Let me explain,’ he said………. Wiping
tears from his eyes.
‘I’ve been coming here for months….. And
you’re the first to say ‘Hi.”
‘I know that my
appearance……….’Is not like all the rest.
‘But I really do
try………………’To always look my best.’
‘I always clean
and polish my shoes..’Before my very long walk.
‘But by the
time I get here………’They’re dirty and dusty, like chalk.’
My heart filled with pain………… And I swallowed to
hide my tears.
As he continued to apologize……… For daring to sit
so near
He said, ‘When I get here…………’I know I must
look a sight.
‘But I thought if I could touch you…’Then maybe
our souls might unite.’
I was silent for a moment……….. Knowing
whatever was said
Would pale in comparison… I spoke from my
heart, not my head.
‘Oh, you’ve touched me,’ I said…….’And
taught me, in part;
‘That the best of any man………….’Is
what is found in his heart.’
The rest, I
thought,…………….. This shoe man will never know.
Like
just how thankful I really am… That his dirty old shoe touched my soul
Making a difference in my life.
— Author Unknown
Meditation: Let us therefore make every effort to do what leads us to peace and to mutual edification. – Romans 14:19
You will succeed in Jesus' Name!
