This week I have caught myself a couple times passing judgement on others around me. Doin' too much gossipin'. I've had to remind myself that I don't know the whole story and those people are probably doing the best they can. Perhaps there's something I need to find in myself and root out--something I'm trying to hide from by stirring in everyone's business but my own.
~~Don't Find Fault by Edgar A. Guest
Don't find fault with the man who limps or stumbles along the road,
Unless you have worn the shoes that he wears or struggled beneath his load.
There may be tacks in his shoes that hut, though hidden away from view;
Or the burdens he bears, when placed on your back might cause you to stumble, too.
Don't 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 yet the blow that was his, if dealt to you
In the selfsame way or at the self same time might cause you to stagger, too.
Dont' be too harsh with the man who sins, or pelt him with words or stones,
Unless you are sure, yea doubly sure, that you have not 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 would cause you to falter, too.
~~~~~~
My amazing cousin has written a short essay about this and is trying to win a scholarship. You can vote for her to win here:
We could all do with more mercy and more understanding. I know I could.
Luke 6:37
Judge not, and ye shall not be judged: condemn not, and ye shall not be condemned: forgive, and ye shall be forgiven:
Ether 12:27
And if men come unto me I will show unto them their weakness. I give unto men weakness that they may be humble; and my grace is sufficient for all men that humble themselves before me; for if they humble themselves before me, and have faith in me, then will I make weak things become strong unto them.
I love Edgar A Guest. He always reminds me of dad.
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