Think Before You Throw... Jan 24, 2017

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 harmful strife.
 
If a stone can stir a lake, from gentle peace and calm,
a single word that’s uttered, can bring a lot of 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, causing 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 knows perfection, feel free to cast a stone;
Then maybe we will never see, another pebble thrown!
 
"He who is without sin among you, let him throw a stone…first." [John 8:7]
 
Jesus, always Jesus!
 
Dennis