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.''
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>'I know that my appearance.. .......'Is not like all the rest.
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>'But I really do try......... ......'To always look my best.'
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>'I always clean and polish my shoes..'Before my very long walk.
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>'But by the time I get here........ .'They're dirty and dusty, like chalk.'
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>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.'
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>I was silent for a moment...... ..... Knowing whatever was said
>
>Would pale in comparison.. . I spoke from my heart, not my head.
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>'Oh, you've touched me,' I said......'And taught me, in part;
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>'That the best of any man......... ...'Is what is found in his heart.'
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>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.
>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.
>
>Cherish every person in your life and
>Live each day as your last, it could be!!!!!
>God Bless Us All.
