BEFORE YOU CAST A STONE
(Revised, by Grace Burford)
I stood beside the water; it was quiet, calm and still. Then someone cast a stone, as children often will.
With a tiny splash it landed, then quickly sank below; but it broke the peaceful silence; the water’s tranquil glow.
The splash became a ripple, that extended far and wide, ‘till it’s ever spreading current, touched the shore on every side.
And then I started thinking; this is so akin to life. For one word, rashly spoken, can stir up endless strife.
If a stone can stir a lake, from gentle peace and calm; a careless word that’s uttered, can bring unending harm.
And like the rippling water, that spreads from shore to shore, reckless words can hurt forever, and close a neighbor's door.
For no matter how we try, it’s impossible to recall, a word that spreads like ripples, and causes someone's fall.
For who can stem a river, or halt the ocean’s tide? Or stop the fire that rages, across the countryside?
Let him who is now perfect, feel free to cast a stone; Then maybe we will never see...another insult thrown.
**********************************************
"He who is without sin among you, let him first cast a stone…." (John 8:7)
"Do not speak evil of one another, brethren..." (James 4:11)
Jesus, always Jesus!
Dennis
(Revised, by Grace Burford)
I stood beside the water; it was quiet, calm and still. Then someone cast a stone, as children often will.
With a tiny splash it landed, then quickly sank below; but it broke the peaceful silence; the water’s tranquil glow.
The splash became a ripple, that extended far and wide, ‘till it’s ever spreading current, touched the shore on every side.
And then I started thinking; this is so akin to life. For one word, rashly spoken, can stir up endless strife.
If a stone can stir a lake, from gentle peace and calm; a careless word that’s uttered, can bring unending harm.
And like the rippling water, that spreads from shore to shore, reckless words can hurt forever, and close a neighbor's door.
For no matter how we try, it’s impossible to recall, a word that spreads like ripples, and causes someone's fall.
For who can stem a river, or halt the ocean’s tide? Or stop the fire that rages, across the countryside?
Let him who is now perfect, feel free to cast a stone; Then maybe we will never see...another insult thrown.
**********************************************
"He who is without sin among you, let him first cast a stone…." (John 8:7)
"Do not speak evil of one another, brethren..." (James 4:11)
Jesus, always Jesus!
Dennis
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