The Smartest Thing Ever

There once was a thinker named Pondering Pete
Who sat in a chair with thoughts that were neat.
“I’ll think till I’m smartest. I’ll figure it out.”
He carefully considered what it all was about.

He studied and puzzled and read every page,
From ancient old scrolls to thoughts of the age.
Sometimes he would stumble and trip on a thought—
For some opinions didn’t answer what he sought.

“Some people,” Pete said, “can know what is right,
Yet march the wrong way with all of their might.
They hear and they nod and they say, ‘Yes indeed.’
Then walk the wrong road at a very fast speed.”

People are foolish to build their house on the sand,
While ignoring the solid rock that is close at hand.
Storm clouds come rumbling. Rain starts to pour—
And down goes that house with a terrible roar.

Now Pete scratched his head with a puzzled-up frown.
“Perhaps I should look where true wisdom is found.
For brains without guidance can wander astray—
Like travelers with no compass to show the way.”

Pete took a deep breath and he lifted a prayer.
“Lord, help me be wise in the thoughts I share.
For thinking alone won’t carry me very far—
But walking with you makes a small mind a star.”

Love is the wisdom that shines the brightest light.
It softens the darkness and turns wrong to right.
To love even our enemies—now there’s a test.
But loving like that is the wisdom that’s best.

Pete stopped comparing and chasing the crowd,
Or trying to prove he was clever and be proud.
He asked, “What is it, Lord, you want me to be?”
And that was the smartest of thoughts, you see.

For life is a puzzle with all the pieces askew,
But God sees the picture that none of us view.
So trust him each step on the path that you trod.
The smartest thing ever… is walking with God.