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
The first time I read this I found tears falling from eyes.
How often does this truly happen in many churches today. We become so insulated with the people we are regularly connected with that it is sometimes hard to look outside our comfort zone of complacency.
My word for 2010 is PERSPECTIVE!!
Everything in life reflects Perspective....
The man with the dirty shoes actually had a clean heart. Sometimes our perspective of people on the outside can blind us to what is a deep well within them and therefore cannot see the richness and diversity of their relationship with Christ and what that person has to offer. I know for me on many occasions God has given me a fresh perspective through the most unlikely source and experience.
Humble yourselves before the Lord and He will lift you up. James 4:10
Humbling ourselves means recognising that our worth comes from God alone. To walk in humility means not to live according to our own independent effort. Although we don't deserve God's favour, He freely gives us worth and dignity, despite our human shortcomings and sin. This is how He lifts us up so we can be His hands and feet here on the earth....thats bringing a little piece of Heaven to earth.
God views all people as equals. Why is it wrong to judge a person by his or her economic status?
Wealth may indicate intelligence, wise decisions and hard work. But on the other hand, it could be a sign of greed, dishonesty or selfishness. By honouring someone just because they dress well, we are making appearance more valuable than character. This is polar opposites to God's perspective.
