Something Profound

I’m not a religious person by any means.  I live my life and try to treat people as I want to be treated.  I try to make time for people who most people would laugh at.  I try to encourage my friends to not laugh at some people’s mis-fortunes.  I try to treat people with open-ness and respect, and if something needs to be said about their behavior, well I do that too LOL  But it is the way that I would want everyone to treat me… I’m not perfect but I do try…

I read this today and it made me think… not about the religious-ness about the message, but instead about the deeper meaning.  Be honest… how many times have you seen someone dirty, untidy, or down on their luck and you probably didn’t have much positive things to say about them or maybe you were rude or even mean to them.  But next time a thought like that crosses your mind, please try to think first about why they might be like that.  The answer could surprise you…

Before I share this story, I have another to share from personal experience.  Hubby and I are selling some stuff on Ebay and one of our auctions ended on the 26th.  As of yesterday we still had not had payment from the item which sold for $200.  Hubby was going through the roof… "why the fuck do people bid on shit if they don’t plan on paying for it… the person isn’t even answering our emails!"  For some reason I stepped back and instead of joining in on the tirade, I said let’s wait until tomorrow to see if they contact us.  I said maybe something has happened in his family and he can’t get to the computer.  Turns out we got an email that night that apologized and said there was a death in the family and he had to leave unexpectedly.  Hubby felt bad.  And it proves that point… Let’s try to have more patience with each other and not jump to BAD conclusions all the time.  One person at a time… the world may just become a (slightly LOL) happier place

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.
Live each day as your last, it could be.
– In God We Trust