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 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.
Just remember this story and take comfort in knowing
that someone out there cares about you..... And always
will. Your friend, Dr Rick
