I received these 2 poems through my email this week, and they both touched my heart. I wanted to share them with you.
IN YOUR DARKEST HOUR, HE IS THERE
When you're writhing in pain, and your body is weak,
The Lord hears your prayer, even when you can't speak.
He doesn't need words to know what's in your heart,
And He wants to be with you, and draw you apart
To show you the grace He delights to bestow,
As he wraps you in love, and He helps you to grow.
He promises strength for each day that you live,
And His storehouse is full - He has plenty to give.
So take heart, precious saint, and rest calm in His care,
For the Lord is as close as each weak, heart-felt prayer.
By Betty Jo Mings
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 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.
I do not know who wrote this last poem, it had no name at the end. But it reminded me of how the Lord tells us not to judge lest we be judged. How true that is. How can we judge anyone, not knowing what they come though. Knowing what their background is, knowing all that they have done in their lives, still we must keep ourselves from judging, because we haven't walked even a mile in their shoes. What we think we know about a person, may be off by just a degree or two...
Which reminds me of a pilot, and what he said about being off by just a degree. When in an airplane, being off just a degree, flying for hundreds of miles, could put you many miles away from your destination, or in some instances, finding a mountain in your way that should not be there. Just a degree off...
So, when we look at another person, whether it be their clothes or their eyes we see, don't judge, lest ye be judged. You don't know what their circumstances are.
And if you find that you are the one being judged by those around you, just smile and don't let it bother you. They don't know what you have come through in your life. You can't change another person's thoughts about anything, so don't waste your time trying. There is only one person who you need to worry about, and that is you! It is true what I've read: You cannot lift another person up if you are on the bottom rung of the ladder.
Have a wonderful.
IN YOUR DARKEST HOUR, HE IS THERE
When you're writhing in pain, and your body is weak,
The Lord hears your prayer, even when you can't speak.
He doesn't need words to know what's in your heart,
And He wants to be with you, and draw you apart
To show you the grace He delights to bestow,
As he wraps you in love, and He helps you to grow.
He promises strength for each day that you live,
And His storehouse is full - He has plenty to give.
So take heart, precious saint, and rest calm in His care,
For the Lord is as close as each weak, heart-felt prayer.
By Betty Jo Mings
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 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.
I do not know who wrote this last poem, it had no name at the end. But it reminded me of how the Lord tells us not to judge lest we be judged. How true that is. How can we judge anyone, not knowing what they come though. Knowing what their background is, knowing all that they have done in their lives, still we must keep ourselves from judging, because we haven't walked even a mile in their shoes. What we think we know about a person, may be off by just a degree or two...
Which reminds me of a pilot, and what he said about being off by just a degree. When in an airplane, being off just a degree, flying for hundreds of miles, could put you many miles away from your destination, or in some instances, finding a mountain in your way that should not be there. Just a degree off...
So, when we look at another person, whether it be their clothes or their eyes we see, don't judge, lest ye be judged. You don't know what their circumstances are.
And if you find that you are the one being judged by those around you, just smile and don't let it bother you. They don't know what you have come through in your life. You can't change another person's thoughts about anything, so don't waste your time trying. There is only one person who you need to worry about, and that is you! It is true what I've read: You cannot lift another person up if you are on the bottom rung of the ladder.
Have a wonderful.
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