Free audio sermons: Get free audio sermons through this free Christan sermon podcast!

Tuesday, November 24, 2009

The Shoe Man

       There is a wonderful poem called "The Shoe Man" (author unknown) that I would like to share with you today.  It is a bit longer than normal, but it defiantly worth the read.  Enjoy.

------------------------------------------------

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.

------------------------------------------------

       It is very interesting how sometimes we can jump to conclusions about people before we truly know anything about them.  Especially since our culture labels and stereotypes people so harshly and easily.  It is very difficult not to do the exact same thing in our own minds.  Whether a person is young, old, smart, ignorant, man, woman, black, white, yellow, any other color, scene, emo, goth, jock, nerd, skater, punk, or any other stereotype, let's not to jump to negative conclusions only based on their appearance, but actually get to know them as a person; their heart.  While there are many character assumptions associated with each of these stereotypes, just because a person looks a certain way does not mean they are this way.  Things are not always what they seem to be.  A good appearance is important, but it is not everything.  As we go through this life, let's remember that everyone out there has a precious soul that is either saved or lost and it is so important that we reach out to those who are lost.  1 Samuel 16:7 says, "...for God sees not as man sees, for man looks at the outward appearance, but the LORD looks at the heart."  Imagine what incredible good could be done if we put away our preconceived ideas about people and try to reach out to them anyway.
 
--Brett Petrillo
 

No comments:

Post a Comment

Note: Only a member of this blog may post a comment.

How to be saved

Are you wondering how to be saved? Are you searching for information on how to be saved? Do you want to know what God requires you to do to be saved from your sins? Learn how to be saved from sin and have heaven you home by visiting http://www.abiblecommentary.com/newtestamentchristianity today! There is also a good discussion on how to be saved at http://www.commentaryonthebible.com/howtobesaved

Bible commentary search engine

On line Bible commentary

My Bible commentary books are now listed on openlibrary.org, a VERY useful web site! Check out this neat web site and my profile there at this link: http://openlibrary.org/people/abible

Commentary on the Bible listing

Yelp.com has helped me promote the "Bible commentary" products from www.abiblecommentary.com - my "yelp listing" is here: http://abiblecommentary.yelp.com

Flickr.com Bible commentary profile

I added my "Bible commentary" profile to flickr and it was EASY! Check it out at http://www.flickr.com/people/abiblecommentary/

Blogs from www.livejournal.com

Are you interested in blogging? If you are looking for a "free blog" that is EASY to use, check out www.livejournal.com. You can be up in running in just minutes - here is my first "Bible commentary" blog post: http://abible.livejournal.com/

Blog Archive