Take Off your heavy shoes

 

Take off your heavy shoes,

You are in a sacred space.

When, broken hearts lie open,

Go barefoot, in this Holy  place.

Take care and learn to listen,

Blessing others with this gift,

God gives beauty for ashes,

Like Him, we should love and lift.

Tread softly in the presence of pain,

Is tip-toeing such a bad thing?

Forgetting yourself for a moment,

Is the perfect place to begin.

Take off your heavy shoes,

Relax and sit for a while.

Because many a broken heart,

Is masked by a carefree smile.

Take time to be present and listen,

Hold space, and hear with your heart.

Praying for discernment and wisdom,

So that, your words are a spark of light.

Tread softly in the presence of pain,

Our hearts cannot take the strain.

Of living in enemy territory,

This World is Satan's domain.

Take off your heavy shoes,

Don't rush and wade right in.

An arrogant tone can crush again,

The broken heart reeling in pain.

Take care with pious platitudes,

The flippant superior word.

 Can be like a further arrow shot,

At an already wounded bird.

Tread softly, just breathe and relax,

As they trust you to hear their woes,

To hear their heart is so  precious,

And to lovingly, help them unload.

Take care, a loving heart listens,

Sacrificing, the need to be heard,

Laying all your opinions aside,

And keeping all  judgements reserved.

Take off your heavy shoes,

When someone pours out their soul,

Difficulties make fertile ground,

Where gifts and seeds will grow.

Take care and learn to listen,

Blessing others with this gift,

God redeems life from the pit,

Like Him, we should love and lift.

Tread softly and learn from Jesus,

Who wants us to learn how to love,

There is no more important lesson,

Until we join Him above.

  Dawn Annette Montague

25 th February 2023