The following was written by an
unknown author.
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 name’s 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.
~ Robert Lloyd Russell, ABUNDANT LIFE NOW
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