~Before You Can Dry Another's Tears

Let me not love a Idle that's free
From the things that draw me close to Thee.

For how can I ever hope to heal
The wounds of others I do not feel?

If my eyes are dry and I never weep,
How do I know when the hurt is deep?

If my heart is cold and it never bleeds
How can I tell what my brother needs?

For when ears are deaf to the  beggar's plea
And we close our eyes and refuse to see

And we steel our hearts and harden our mind
And we count it a weakness whenever we're kind,

We are no longer following the Father's way
Or seeking His guidance from day to day--

For without crosses to carry and burdens to bear,
We dance through a life that is frothy and fair,

And chasing the rainbow we have no desire
For roads that are rough and realms that are higher.

So spare me no heartache or sorrow, dear Lord
For the heart that is hurt reaps the richest reward,

And God enters the heart that is broken with sorrow
As He opens the door to a brighter tommorrow,

For only through tears can we recognize
The suffering that lies in another's eyes.

~Helen Steiner Rice