Dear God,
Give me the strength to be present at my child's pain.
Help me to have faith in his competence.
Help me to be honest with him.
Help me to convey the confidence I have in him.
Spare me the necessity of using force.
Keep me from denying or minimizing what he is experiencing.
Don't let me abandon him in any way because of my own fear and weakness.
Don't let me be overpowered by my frustration and feelings of helplessness.
Remind me that pain is survivable.
Remind me that he knows that I would not permit this if it were not necessary.
Help me bear my suffering with strength, dignity, and honesty and so provide an example that will calm and reassure him.
Remind me that my touch, my smell, my presence are all to him.
Help me to stay here beside him.
Amen.
Author Unknown
When I read this, it hit home. It validated me. Once in awhile, I need that. I need to know that what I am feeling.... thinking...... doing.... doesn't make me a bad Mom. I struggle just like every other Mom. I have frustrations that I am embarrassed to admit. Yes, I get angry. Dare I even admit that there have been times where I have felt regret. Sure, I may have willingly stepped into the role of parenting a child with special needs when we adopted, but it wasn't how things originally started. I didn't willingly say, "Hey Lord, please make the children that I bear have disabilities."
Yet, I can see that God had other plans for my life, and he knew what I was capable of all along, despite my continual stumbling. And He never planned for me to do it on my own. He is always there beside me.
And every day, He is showing me that I can do more than what I ever imagined. And there is great joy to be had in raising each and every one of my children.
And despite the times where I feel like maybe I am not cut out for the job, I would not change my life for anything.
This prayer is one that I won't be afraid to pray. It is honest... it is heartfelt....... and it reminds me that my children need me to be strong for them..... a prayer warrior always.
10 inspiring thoughts:
What a great poem. I think all mother's feel this way at some time.
Thanks for sharing.
Yes, that was very heartfelt.
You know, we all talk about how our adopted children were "chosen" but really, Christine, YOU were chosen too! God chose YOU to parent this group of children...YOU and no other.
He trusts you even when you feel unworthy or not up to the task at hand.
May He continue to be the lifter of your head on days when you are weary.
love,
Holly
One of the hardest things in mommyhood is watching your child suffer.
I remember when Tim had major surgery, he was swollen from head to toe. I went to stroke his hair gently and he said,"mama, don't touch my hair, it hurts.." Yet, he looked for me making sure I was there....
When Sarah has had her surgeries, and Erika hers, they need your presence there. Even if you are just sitting, quietly praying for them... they need you. They know your smell, your presence. They don't need us to be perfect. Thank goodness! LOL
Really enjoyed it...I'm an Agnostic so I'll take it more as a poem than a prayer but it's beautiful nonetheless.
With the possibility of brining home a baby who has suffered damage to 3 lobes and still has bleeding in his head I sometimes wonder if I'm really cut out for this...I didn't go into this thinking that I'd take in special needs kids...yet life has a funny way of showing you that you are indeed as strong as you need to be for your children (or future children in need...whatever that need may be)
AMEN!!!!!!!! You are not alone, you are a real mom, and none of us are perfect- but we are forgiven. Praise God for that. I love the reading!!!
As I began reading this prayer, I thought you had written it. It is so real and obviously written by someone who has been there. I have prayed similar words many times!
thank you for your honesty and openness; as a mom, its such a relief to hear another mom say some of the things I'm afraid too, or even admit too! Blessings on you and your beautiful family....
That's a beautiful prayer and a beautiful post. God is always with us and never expects us to do anything on our on!
Such a true heart felt prayer. Thank you for sharing!
Thank you,
As a mom who is currently in the hospital (and has been for the last two weeks) with my 6 week old daughter who has been diagnosed with epilepsy, I really appreciated this. Every time she seizes it hurts my heart. Every time. Even more when it makes her cry. I didn't choose this, but God can use it to our good and his glory. I pray I can be all that she needs.
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