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 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 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 Dart Test...
A
young lady named Sally, relates an experience she had in a seminary
class, given by her teacher, Dr Smith. She says that Dr Smith was
known for his elaborate object lessons.
Now one particular day, Sally walked into the seminary and knew they were in for a fun day.
On
the wall was a big target and on a nearby table were many
darts. Dr. Smith told the students to draw a picture of someone
that they disliked, or someone who had made them angry, and he would
allow them to throw darts at the person's picture.
Sally's
friend drew a picture of who had stolen her boyfriend. Another
friend drew a picture of his little brother. Sally drew a picture
of a former friend, putting a great deal of detail into her
drawing, even drawing pimples on the face. Sally was very pleased with the overall effect she had achieved.
The
class lined up and began throwing darts. Some of the students
threw their darts with such force that their targets were ripping
apart. Sally looked forward to her turn, and was filled
with
disappointment when Dr. Smith, because of time limits, asked the
students to return to their seats. As Sally sat thinking about how
angry she was because she didn't have a chance to throw any darts at
her target. Dr. Smith began removing the target from the wall.
Underneath
the target was a picture of Jesus. Needless to say a hush fell
over the room as each student viewed the mangled picture of Jesus;
holes and jagged marks covered His face and His eyes were pierced.
It was then that Dr. Smith said only these words...
"I TELL YOU THE TRUTH, WHATEVER YOU DID FOR ONE OF THE
LEAST OF THESE BROTHERS OF MINE, YOU DID TO ME."
( MATTHEW 25:40. )
No other words were necessary; as tears filled the eyes of the students, as they focused on the mangled picture of Jesus Christ.
( Author Unknown )