Other People’s Shoes (The Fella He Called Sam)

The preacher told a story
‘bout other people’s shoes
and said that I should try them on
(what did I have to lose?)

He talked about a neighbor
and some other guy named Sam
somehow, he got me thinking
about just who I am.

It seems he wasn’t talking
about size tens or twelves
not sneakers nor some fancy boots
we take down off the shelves

No, he said that life’s a journey
and sometimes the road is sweet
but other times there’s dangers
and evils that we meet.

And if someday I find myself
broken by the road
what kind of person would I pray
would stop to lift my load?

Would I only want somebody
who looks a lot like me?
who lives just ‘round the corner
and believes what I believe?

Would I ask them how they voted
or if they went to church
before I let them help
as I lay bleeding in the dirt?

No, I suspect I wouldn’t ask
to see their ID card.
I’d just be thankful that their heart
had been touched by the Lord.

And then the light began to dawn
and I began to see
that I should love a wounded stranger
the same way I’d want him to care for me!

Yes the preacher got me thinking
‘bout just who I am
will I be the kind of neighbor
like that fella he called Sam.

Copyright 2018 Jim McConnell

“Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself.” Luke 10:27. KJV “..as ye would that men should do to you, do ye also to them…” Luke 6:31. KJV “Be not forgetful to entertain strangers: for thereby some have entertained angels unawares.” Hebrews 13:2 KJV “He (gives justice to) the fatherless and widow, and loveth the stranger, in giving him food and (clothing). Love ye therefore the stranger: for ye were strangers in the land of Egypt.“ Deuteronomy 10:18-19 KJV