Who's Soul Are You Touching

Gracious words are a honeycomb, sweet to the soul and healing to the bones. Proverbs 16:24 NIV

Good Morning Girlfriends:

Sitting in my big comfy chair, taking a few minutes for myself, I came across a little story that touched my heart. As I read through it, I could visualize what the person was saying and though it was a simple story, it had great meaning and I wanted to share it with you.

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 souls touch?" A prayer began: 'Our Father'.....I though, '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 the door? "Well, this certainly isn't it,' I thought, glancing towards 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 mans 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 name is 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.

Girlfriends, how many people do we see in the run of a day that may look just like the shoe man in this story, how many times do we walk right on by them without saying a word, or even a glance. When I read this story, I saw the beauty in this dear old man, as he probably walked a great distance to go to church or wherever he needed to go, he gave what he had in the offering plate, he came with a grateful heart to sing and praise the Lord, he tried to dress in the best of what he had, and he was probably longing for a friend.

One kind word, a smile, a hello, a "how can I help you," can go along way sometimes for a person who could be struggling with something, or has just lost their loved one of many years, maybe that single mother who has no way of transportation to buy groceries or to take her child to the doctor, we don't know their story until we take a moment to talk to the to hear their story. I was that single mother who's husband had walked out and was left with no vehicle to get around or to get to work, I was that one with a story just waiting to be shared. Each and every one of us have our own story to tell, if we will be willing to let it out.

The shoe man stuck out his shoe in hopes that he would touch the other mans sole, and what he did was even greater, the shoe man touched something much deeper and that was the other mans real 'soul.' Each of us have the chance to leave a legacy behind that shows other people who we were, who we represented and what we represented. I pray that as I continue on my life journey, that each one of my children will see and feel that their souls have been touched by the way I have taught them and raised them that Jesus is the one and most important person that they need in their life in order to get through this hard, cruel world, and it sure can be, but if we have Jesus in our hearts and we are following His principals then we will have everything we need and that is living and showing love and kindness wherever we go, and to whoever we meet, somewhere along the way our soul will meet with someone that will make a difference and let it start today.

Let's Pray,

Father God, I thank you for this wonderful day, Lord I thank you for each dear 'soul' here today. Lord help each one of to not judge one another just by our outward appearance but find in our heart to give that someone a compliment instead of a ridicule. Lord help us to be kind, loving and compassionate each day as we meet people on the streets, in the grocery stores and in the work place, help us to be considerate to one another and to walk in love. Lord help us to become more and more like You as we surrender our lives, hearts and souls to you as you mold us into the likeness of who you want us to be and that is You, our loving Father. Lord I pray that you would continue to use each of us in our own special way to reach out to other people who are hurting and broken. Lord help us to say the right words to comfort them, help us to lean in a little closer to hear their story as we we wrap our arms around them and tell them they are going to be okay, they will get through it, this too shall pass. Let every person that you put in our path, feel the warmth and love of the Father flowing through us in the Mighty name of Jesus, because it's souls we want to reach, in Jesus name, Amen.

Be blessed sweet souls, and pass the blessings on to whoever you meet.