Pressing On!

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 heart was 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.
Bu t 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.

Well, the 2010 year is off and running and there is nothing we can do to stop it.  Every year about this time especially, I think of the words of the apostle Paul in 1 Corinthians 9:23-27 I do all things for the sake of the gospel, so that I may become a fellow partaker of it.  Do you not know that those who run in a race all run, but only one receives the prize? Run in such a way that you may win.  Everyone who competes in the games exercises self-control in all things. They then do it  to receive a perishable wreath, but we an imperishable.  Therefore I run in such a way, as not without aim; I box in such a way, as not beating the air; but I discipline my body and make it my slave, so that, after I have preached to others, I myself will not be disqualified.

The new year brings with it many challenges and trials, but also many new joys and celebrations.  Remember as we run this race called life not to get caught up in the pitfalls and uneven terrain that Satan has the world throw at us.   Keep up the push and we will be stronger for it.  I hope and pray that in your new year you can accomplish all that the Lord has in store for you.