A Lost Art?

Inspiration comes in many different ways. Often a launching point for a sermon comes from something that I hear, read, or see. Occasionally a thought comes when I am in the shower, first thing in the morning, before other thoughts and ideas crowd into my mind. Sometimes, a great thought by a theologian moves me to explore my beliefs, and leads me to communicate those ideas to the congregation. While on Christmas vacation, I was moved. A happenstance meeting with the great theologian, Ed Floyd, left me a changed man.

From the looks on some of your faces, I see that many of you are unaware of the contributions of Ed Floyd. Let me take a few brief moments to describe this gentleman to you.

Sarah's parents love to watch the birds out of their kitchen windows, while they eat. The "they" here are the birds, and the Bedenbaughs. While they(the birds) eat, they(the Bedenbaughs) watch. Sometimes while they(the birds) eat, they (the birds) also watch them(the Bedenbaughs) eat. I realize that this sounds a bit odd, but the real important part of this story is that when they(the birds) eat, they(the birds) also make messes on the cars parked too close to the feeders. Sarah and I made the mistake of parking too close and we needed to get the van washed. We drove to Greenville to a local car wash. We paid for the service, and went inside the lobby area. Watching for our mini-van to make it's way through the automatic pressure washing system. It was at the conclusion of this washing...that we met Ed Floyd.

Ed Floyd was busy at work, in his office. He was talking a bit with a client, and he caught my eye. Some of you may remember my need of purchasing slip on shoes for the Korea trip one year ago. These shoes were looking terrible. Many years ago, someone gave me a shoeshine kit, and I never really got the hang of it. I am sure that many of you are not surprised in the least by this. I saw Ed Floyd, and rejoiced in my Spirit. You see, Mr. Ed Floyd is a professional shoe shiner.

I climbed up on to the almost throne like chair. I placed each foot on the foot pads and he went to work. I asked him a few questions, but spent most of the time, watching. "How long have you been doing this?", I inquired. Mr. Floyd replied, oh...42 years. I quickly realized that he probably knew what he was doing. He took great care in rolling up my pants legs a bit, and then putting a certain kind of soap on each shoe. He then cleaned them off, and polished and buffed. He then polished and buffed and looked at each a little longer. He cradled each shoe in his hand like a newborn, lovingly admiring his glorious work.

"Those are nice shoes you've got there", he added. "What kind are they?" After my response, he said, "I noticed that they were very soft. "

"Mr. Floyd, have you ever found a pair of shoes that was hopeless? I mean so bad that you could not do anything to save them?" " No, sir I just do to them what I can, and usually that makes it alright." He finished after 45 minutes on my shoes, and said the fee was 6.00. Such care, such concern, so meticulous....what a bargain.

The next day we arrived back at Myrtle Beach, and it was time to go to bed. Sarah said, "I really want to watch the news, it has been 2 weeks since I saw it." Jokingly I said, "Let me summarize it for you: shooting, rape, missing child, car wreck, crooked local politician, natural disaster and 20% chance of rain." She chuckled, agreed, and we watched the news anyway.

This week I received a call from my mom telling me of a friend of mine from High school that has found himself in a bad mess.

Summarize this news story:

12:15 p.m. EST January 3, 2007
CAMPOBELLO, S.C. - Spartanburg County deputies said they believe a domestic dispute led to the shooting death of a Campobello woman on Tuesday night. Investigators said that they believe death is the result of a domestic dispute.
The woman's estranged husband, Larry Brent Horton, has been arrested in the case, investigators said. He faces murder charges.
Deputies said that just before 11 p.m., they received a 911 call about a woman dead inside a home on Underwood road.
When deputies arrived, they found Erica Bell Horton dead and her estranged husband's arm and hands covered in blood.
The couple has two children, ages 2 and 4.

The mess that this beat up world is in makes my shoes look like a piece of cake. Ed Floyd did a great job on my shoes, but he cannot solve all our problems. Jesus is the one that takes great care to work on us, meet us where we are, and never let us go. The problem is we never slow down long enough to get up in the chair and let him do his work.

Is our sin really that bad? Yes, and often we are far too comfortable with them to actually ask for forgiveness. To be honest, if Sarah had not told me that I had to do something about those beat up shoes or throw them out, I would not have done a thing. Just at my time of need...there was Ed Floyd.

What about our Spiritual needs? Can we slow down enough and ask God to identify the stains and beat up places in our lives that keep us from shining? I am reminded of the great passage of contrition found in Psalm 51.

Have mercy upon me, O God, according to thy lovingkindness: according unto the multitude of thy tender mercies blot out my transgressions.
Wash me thoroughly from mine iniquity, and cleanse me from my sin.
For I acknowledge my transgressions: and my sin is ever before me.
Against thee, thee only, have I sinned, and done this evil in thy sight: that thou mightest be justified when thou speakest, and be clear when thou judgest.
Behold, I was shapen in iniquity; and in sin did my mother conceive me.
Behold, thou desirest truth in the inward parts: and in the hidden part thou shalt make me to know wisdom.
Purge me with hyssop, and I shall be clean: wash me, and I shall be whiter than snow.
Make me to hear joy and gladness; that the bones which thou hast broken may rejoice.
Hide thy face from my sins, and blot out all mine iniquities.
Create in me a clean heart, O God; and renew a right spirit within me.
Cast me not away from thy presence; and take not thy holy spirit from me.
Restore unto me the joy of thy salvation; and uphold me with thy free spirit.
Then will I teach transgressors thy ways; and sinners shall be converted unto thee.
Deliver me from bloodguiltiness, O God, thou God of my salvation: and my tongue shall sing aloud of thy righteousness.
O Lord, open thou my lips; and my mouth shall shew forth thy praise.
For thou desirest not sacrifice; else would I give it: thou delightest not in burnt offering.
The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit: a broken and a contrite heart, O God, thou wilt not despise.

This Psalm of confession and lament was penned by David, after his sin with Bathsheeba was exposed by Nathan the prophet.

I am proud of my "like new" shoes. My "beat up life" sure does need some TLC from Christ. Sometimes, it needs some heavy buffing, too. "God, is there ever a life that you can't do anything with? When your children come to you and ask for you to work on them, are they ever beyond repair?" The good news of the Gospel is this...His reply is..."No, I just do what I can, and that always makes it alright." He did all he could with the death of Christ, he equips us with the Spirit that exposes our sins if we just listen. Crawl up in that chair...let the Master get to work.