A Pebble in the Shoe

Lyrics to a song by The Diehm Project (1993), “Pebble in the Shoe":

Started as a small thing, a pebble in the shoe,

Grew into a boulder, crushing down you.

Started as a notion, knocking at the heart,

Grew into disaster, tearing you apart.

 

Started as a small word, whispered in the dark,

Grew into a rumor, seeking to attack.

Started as a needle, pricking at the skin,

Grew into a dagger, digging deep in.

 

The Devil’s pretty good, starting out small,

Taking bit by bit ‘til he’s taken it all.

 

Started as a small thought, harmless at the time,

Became an obsession, filling up the mind.

Started as a small “no”, only now and then,

Grew into rebellion, grew into sin.

I remember first hearing this song when I was at summer camp in high school. It hit home because all too often I view small sins as “no big deal.” But those small sins are footholds for Satan. The chorus is spot on: The Devil is good at starting out small, and before we know it he has mastered us in our sin.

We cannot let him get a foothold. When is the last time you’ve cleaned out your shoes?