Taking the time to touch a SOUL and say "HI"

I have been busy... what can I say? Too busy to blog! =)

However, I thought I would take a few minutes to just share a poem and a message that digs deep in my soul. A friend emailed me this, I do not know who the author is but kudos to you wherever and whoever you are!

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, and 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 as 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 real deep. I saw what was pulled out…what the shoe man put in. Then I heard a soft ‘clink’ (like when silver hits tin).

The sermon really bored me to tears (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 somehow moved and wanted to meet the shoe man. So after the closing prayer, I reached over and shook his hand. He was old, 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 well, it’s 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…just 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, so 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’S 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 brought tears streaming down my face as I read this and imagined just how many people we all run across daily that we do not bother to acknowledge and recognize.... how very sad that is.

We are all very busy people. We have hectic lives and emotional chaos at times where we feel life cannot put one more thing on us. I get that... I too have been one of the "we" and "us" I mention here!

My only question is... have people become so callous and so selfish that we don't realize how many lonely people are out there just wishing and waiting for us to just say "Hi"? Are we so busy in our push to get ahead (or just to get by) that we cannot remember to treat another human being, regardless of their appearance , LIKE A HUMAN BEING?

Our God sent His Son to this earth to show us a glimpse of the LOVE that He has for us and yet we, as Christians and as humans can't seem to share a touched sole with someone we feel is not worthy.

Were we worthy of the greatest gift of Salvation? Will we ever be worth of such love and grace that abounds and covers every sin we ever had or ever will have? No!  A resounding NO!  But we have been offered it and it is ours for the taking at any given moment with a simple prayer and a humble sincere heart. It is a gift of eternal life. No matter where we have been or what we have done... there is a peace and healing available 24/7...365 days a year.

As a Believer and as a human , I pray that I do not fall victim to being too busy or too shallow to touch a soul or say "hi" to the next stranger I meet. Love covers so much pain and it brings such a glimmer of hope and happiness that lasts much much longer than the .5 seconds that saying a simple "hi" takes to utter!

God loves you WHERE YOU ARE RIGHT NOW! We are called to make a way for Christ in others lives... not to drag them kicking and bucking into "our churches"... but to be a living testimony and example of the peace and love we have received and to just SHOW that to the world... we are to LOVE others WHERE THEY ARE... forgetting where they have been!

I challenge each of you to take a moment today and make a difference in someone's life! It only takes a few seconds ... but, man... is it ever worth it!

Love Crazy... Love well... and Show the world just who you are in Christ! Selah!