Shoes in Church
Shoes in church WELL worth the read!!
Please read all the way through.... Please have a wonderful day!
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
> You are special to me and you have made a difference in my life.
> I respect you, and truly cherish you.
> Send this to your friends,
> No matter how often you talk,
> Or how close you are,
> And send it to the person who sent it to you.
> Let old friends know you haven't forgotten them,
> And tell new friends you never will.
> Remember, everyone needs a friend.
> Someday you might feel like you have no friends at all.
> Just remember this e-mail and take comfort in knowing that
> Someone out there cares about you..... And always will.