Millstones Sink

Henry Ford built The Gristmill. It’s a three-story fieldstone building with a two-story waterwheel, nestled next to a stone dam that pours a wide waterfall from a Massachusetts mill pond. It’s surrounded by ancient trees. Millstones are scattered in the yard, looking like gigantic granite wheels. A long and low stonewall sets off the gravel parking area from the irresistible beauty. This flourmill works – at grinding grain into flour, as a tourist-trap, and as a favorite parking spot for young lovers. It’s just off a state highway, and is on a well-traveled road that prevents teens from getting into too much trouble.

On their first high school date, Charlie and Lynn parked at the Gristmill. It was dark, they kissed, they talked, it grew late, and, as if they were in a grade-B film, his car would not start. Charlie’s dad was out of town. They had to call Lynn’s father. Lynn’s protective father was perturbed at finding his innocent daughter in the hands of a man who might have been a masher. Her father misquoted the Scriptures in a controlled voice, “If you cause a girl to stumble, then it would be better for you if a millstone were hung around your neck, and you were thrown into the sea, or into a nearby mill pond, as the case may be.” As misdirected as it was to those innocent teens – well not totally misdirected or innocent either– his message was clear.

Let’s Pray: Dear God, keep us from becoming temptations to others, and especially to children; let us lead no one astray. Amen.

Today’s Thought Is: Am I the cause of another’s stumble?

Source:
Mark 9:42 "If any of you put a stumbling block before one of these little ones who believe in me, it would be better for you if a great millstone were hung around your neck and you were thrown into the sea."