Old Shoes In Church

Author Unknown

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 and 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.

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 

And take comfort in knowing

 that someone out there 

cares about you.

And always will.

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