Shoes in Church

I showered and shaved
And adjusted my tie.
I got there and sat
In a pew just in time.

Bowing my head in prayer
As I was closing 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 very 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 certainly no lie.
It wasn't 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.

And I felt moved somehow,
And wanted to meet the 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 anyhow
And for being our church 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 quickly 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 that I must look a sight.
But I thought if I could touch you,
Then maybe our souls might unite."

I was silent for just a moment
Knowing whatever was said
Would pale in comparison and
I spoke from my heart, not my head.

"Oh, you've touched me," I said "
And taught me not only in part,
That the best of a man is not without,
But is what is found in his heart."

The rest of my thoughts I determined
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.

Live each day as if it were your last ~
 Who knows, it could be.