Judge Gently

Pray, don't find fault with the man that limps
Or stumbles along the road.
Unless you have worn the shoes he wears
Or struggled beneath his load.

There may be tacks in his shoes that hurt
Though hidden away from view.
Or the burden he bears placed on your back
Might cause you to stumble too.

Dont sneer at the man who's down today
Unless you have felt the blow
That caused his fall or felt the shame
That only the fallen know.

You may be strong but still the blows
That was his if dealt to you
In the selfsame way, at the selfsame time
Might cause you to stagger too.

Dont be too harsh with the man that sins
Or pelt him with word or stone
Unless you are sure - yea, doubly sure -
That you have no sins of your own.

For you know, perhaps,
If the tempter's voice should whisper as soft to you
As it did to him when he went astray
It might cause you to falter too.


[Author Unknown -- from 'Aiken Drum' (Aiken@AikensLaughs.com)]

Job 38-39

If the Lord asks me to wait
Till I reach that pearly gate
Then wait I must.
Though my heart says I should hurry,
Still my Lord says not to worry,
I must trust...

"O, My child ~ thou art Mine,
You must seek My will, not thine,
Do not fret thyself about what is to be...
For thy future have no dread,
Leave it in My hands instead,
For I alone know what is best for thee.

"Dwell on what My hands have made,
Count the stars My hands have stayed
To spin in motion...
Guess the secrets that I keep
In the mysteries of My deep
Uncharted ocean.

"Can you make the grass to sprout,
Paint the colors in a trout,
Or make the brook sing?
When do mountain goats give birth,
Who brings flowers out of earth,
Or gives the bird wing?

"Do you give the horse his might,
Can you change the day to night,
Or make a rainbow?
At My wish the eagle soars,
I command the rain that pours,
And make the wind blow.

"This and far more I can do...
Am I big enough for you
To trust your life to?
Is My universe too small
To be trusted with your all?
Child, taste of Me and see
How much I love you!"

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

"O, taste and see that the Lord is good..."
(Psalm 34:8, KJV)

From the Inside Out