Shoes in Church
November 11th, 2008Tuesday, November 11, 2008
Shoes in Church
I always received forwarded e-mails whether at work e-mail or my home e-mail. But this is one of my favorite. Most of us tend to judge people by their outside appearance. I know I am guilty of this bad attitude too. I hope you this will touch your heart . God Bless us All!!
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, Glan cing 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 com ing……… 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 wh atever 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.
Labels: Personal
6 COMMENTS:
gLoR!e said…
last night i saw local drama and the title is leather shoes..it was nice and this one is a soul meal to me..:)
NOVEMBER 15, 2008 4:28 PM
gengen said…
Very good post Beth…TC
NOVEMBER 15, 2008 9:34 PM
Mike Golch said…
great posting.
NOVEMBER 19, 2008 6:49 AM
Karen & Gerard Zemek said…
This is such a good reminder not to judge people by how they look. It does happen all the time though.
NOVEMBER 20, 2008 2:06 PM
Pamela Plumley said…
Nice poem and sooo full of meaning!
NOVEMBER 26, 2008 7:42 AM
Emily Retherford said…
Wow that was a really great post it really makes you stop and think.
Emily
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