JUDGING

Judging

The little girl sat quietly
As I sang aloud in church
She only saw the singer
She didn't see the hurts;
"I wish that I could be you!"
She whispered in my ear
How could I tell her
What she wouldn't want to hear?

I sing to keep from crying
I laugh so it don't hurt
No-one knows the emptiness
I even feel in church;
She leaves with her family
Hand in hand they walk
While I go home to nothing
No-one to greet or talk.

The old man sees a ballgame
And wishes he could run
He watches as his neighbor
Laughs and has some fun;
"I wish that I could do that too!"
He states outside the park
I overheard the player say:
"Now listen to me, Mark."

"Old man, I only play here
So I won't be alone
Because of sports and my job
I'm hardly ever home;
I used to have a family
Now it's just the dog and me
I would trade my very life
For all you have, you see."

At the store that same evening
I ran into a friend
I asked how her vacation went
And she took my hand;
"I only go away so much
To escape what I miss so
My husband died at Christmas
Oh! You didn't even know?"

So if you ever envy those
Who sing or play or travel
Please remember some of us
Almost come unrattled
If we sit at home too long
Or struggle 'cuz we're blue
Do not judge one of us
Next it could be you!