The Dusty Shoes
My alarm went off...
It was Sunday again.
I was sleepy and tired,
My one day to sleep in.
But the guilt I would
feel
So I'd go and I'd pray.
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 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...
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