“Therefore , if you are offering your gift at the altar and there remember that your brother has something against you,  leave your gift there in front of the altar.  First go and be reconciled to your brother; then come and  offer your gift.”  Matthew 5:23-24 N.I.V.

A case of the danger of gossip
When a remark taken out of context
Shatters the trust of friendship,
The matter festers and grows.
The injured part so insulted
Wraps themselves in wounded pride
Watering the weed so planted
Resentment and bitterness grows.
The misquoted person is clueless
As rumors start to abound
Only adding to a relationship mess
Yet they smile and pretend its okay.
More than ten years slip past
Civility is clearly redefined
Then it occurs to one to ask at last
“Was it something I’ve done?”
The incident is replayed with anger
Then as the truth slowly unfolds
Reveals its really been a stranger
False in more ways than one.
Ten years of growing a crop of weeds
Over ten years each time they prayed
They tended the wrong kind of seeds
This their true gifts to the Lord.
The lesson of this story doesn’t falter
Jesus said it first long ago
Before bringing your gift to the altar
Seek out your angry brother, make amends
Pull the bitterness weed out cleanly
Be sure you get the roots and all
Of the misunderstanding now you’re tending
Let restortation begin complete renewed
Then return with your gift to the altar
Offer it now to the Lord and  King
And it is received by Him in his glory
For consciences are clear again.

3-18-14 d-f-a.v.
–Jesus knows the heart,
  –Donna