In Judging

Florence E. Stiff

Try not to judge too harshly,
Or find fault with one who stumbles
along the road,
Unless you know all their burdens
Or have carried near the same load.
There may be things that hurt them
That is hidden from others view,
The same that hurt them if given to you
Might cause you to stumble too.

So don't sneer at the one who is down today
Unless you have felt the blow
That caused their fall or felt the shame
That only the "fallen" know.
You may think you are oh so strong
That it could never happen to you,
But given to you as was given to them
Would cause you to weaken too.

Don't be too bitter on the one who sins
With harsh words or even with stones,
Unless you are so very sure
You have no sins of your own.
Can you think by chance, if the tempters voice
Would call just so softly to you
As it did to them before they strayed
It might even cause you to falter too.