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Thursday, September 20, 2007

I'm loving this Poem....Shoes in Church

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 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 e-mail and take comfort in knowing that someone out
there cares about you...and always will.




Who am I to ever judge anyone? What a great reminder....OK so remember I am sooooo ADD it is not even funny...Jumping topics is my forte....I told Chris to take the job...:)

13 comments:

Noel said...

Love the poem...Good luck Chris!~
I hope that this move brings some happiness back to him. Which I'm sure will make all of your lives a little happier! When you hate your job...everything suffers a little bit.

Noel

Heather said...

Good poem Lisa. Good on you for helping Chris with his decision. ;) love ya

Julie said...

Love the poem. Good luck on the new job. Hope it is everything he is looking for.

Ava's Grandma Kim said...

I have been thinking about you a lot in regard to the mortgage crisis. How scary. Still, I bet your company thinks of you as a keeper. Good luck, girl.

Lynn said...

I know I haven't commented in awhile, but I'm still out here, keeping up with you guys through your blog. Thanks for the poem (snif). Thinking of you guys often.

Anonymous said...

LOVE THE POEM

Katie said...

Lovely poem :)
YAY about the job!
Good luck Chris !

Tara said...

Great poem. I hope Chris enjoys his new job!! I'll be anxious to hear how it's going.

Anonymous said...

Hi - Who is the author of the poem - Shoes in Church? I would like to post it in a church newsletter and wanted copyright info. Thanks for your help.

Lisa said...

~Christopher Robin~

Leanne Wade Freiberg said...

Please add the original authors name to this copyrighted poem: Leanne Freiberg copyright 2001 thank you!

Glenda Rae Hilyard said...

Beautiful poem Leanne

Glenda Rae Hilyard said...

Beautiful poem Leanne