Quote from Forum Archives on June 26, 2005, 10:37 am

Posted by: bigguyhereagain <bigguyhereagain@...>

"THE SHOE MAN"

 

  

 
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...............The rest of the day

 

Would have been too much.................So I'd go and I'd pray.

 

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.'"

 

"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 might be best friends one year,

 

Pretty good friends the next year.

 

Don't talk that often the next year,

 

Don't want to talk at all the year after that.

 

So, I just wanted to say,

 

Even if I never talk to you again in my life,

 

You are special to me and you have made a difference in my life.

 

I respect you, and truly cherish you.

Send this to your friends,

 

No matter how often you talk,

 

Or how close you are,

 

And send it to the person who sent it to 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.

 

From Helen

   

 

"Three Things"

 
Three things to be
- pure, just and honest

 

Three things to govern
- temper tongue and conduct

 

Three things to have
- courage, affection and gentleness

 

Three things to love
- the wise, the virtuous and the innocent

 

Three things to commend
- thrift, industry and promptness

 

Three things to despise
- cruelty, arrogance and ingratitude

 

Three things to attain 
- goodness of heart, integrity, and cheerfulness

 

"Happiness keeps You Sweet"

 

Happiness keeps You Sweet

Trials keep You Strong,
Sorrows keep You Human,
Failures keeps You Humble,
Success keeps You Glowing,
But Only God keeps You Going!

 

 

Have a Blessed Day

Dave and Barbara

 

 

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