Throwing Stones

Taking a museum break,

I found a small secluded courtyard where 

I could rest my aching feet.

I put my feet up in a chair 

and settled my mind to the rhythm

of a waterfall pouring onto rocks.

There was a little sign nestled in the rocks.

I had to get up and walk a few steps to read it.

It said:

FOR YOUR SAFETY

PLEASE DO NOT

THROW STONES

At first I thought it was a little strange.

Then I wondered how my throwing stones

could be unsafe for ME.

FOR YOUR SAFETY

PLEASE DO NOT

THROW STONES??

The more I thought about it, 

the more I thought about it.

Then I remembered the story of the woman caught in adultery 

being brought to Jesus for her punishment.

He said to her accusers,

"Let any one of you,

who is without sin,

throw the first stone."

(John 8:7)

ouch.

He also said,

"Do not judge

or you, too will be judged"

(Matthew 7:1)

ouch.

Everybody knows that us church ladies

can polish our pretty little stones

and rename them

prayer requests

and 

concerns

and 

helpful comments

and 

how they should have done it.

But it is still stone throwing

and it's still judging.

OUCH

"For in the same way you judge others,

you will be judged.  

and with the measure you use, 

it will be measured to you."

(Matthew 7:2)

OUCH!!

I guess it is true.

Throwing stones 

IS

hazardous to my own safety.