Judge Gently

Pray, don't find fault with the man who 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.> > 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 still the blows> That was his if dealt to you> In the selfsame way, at the selfsame time> Might cause you to stagger too.> > Don't be too harsh with the man who 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.> >

Called

 Dad wrote this about feeling too over strict on his children and not understanding enough. A tough tightrope for a father to walk.

Here it is:

He cringed, and cowered in the shadow of his darkened room.

Fearing to venture out from the safety of the protection of the gloom.

He had been disobedient and the penalty he now feared.

As his Father's return from his work drew swiftly near.

This heartrending scene was re-enacted time after time,

Just apathetic battle for attention and affection, his only crime.

He stood at the door of our hearts pleading entrance in.

Hurt, dismayed with a long, long battle he'd never win.

With tears in his eyes, a break in his lonely heart,

Hoping for, and begging for entrance, in whole or in part.

He begged and implored with no realized reply.

As his tender, young, hungry heart, wondered, why, why?

He sought and reached for love, from any who could understand,

We were too blind and busy to see the pitiful outstretched hand.

Rigid discipline, strict codes, hard rules with no exception.

Too late, too late I realized I was tragically practicing deception.

He called and called but I couldn't see his desperate need.