I searched through my archives of poems written and felt drawn to post this one. I wrote this several years ago when one of my children had come to me with their heart broken by love. My heart crushed with their sorrow; yet, I knew that God’s plan was never wrong. His plan was to bring them good—even through the sorrow. All I could do was listen and gently say, “You may not understand now; but, you will. God’s love for you only allows what is good. Wait, you will see—out of the ashes of this horrible pain will come His Joy into your life.” As a mother, my heart wishes that I could bear the pains of this journey for them. I would rather be ill than to watch them suffer. A thousand times, I would prefer my heart crush in place of theirs. I know the same is true of you Fathers out there. Truly, this prayer could be that of a Father as well. I do not know why God drew me to this poem today. Perhaps it is for you—to comfort your heart.
1982 Me with my 3 greatest Joys of this life
A Mother’s Prayer
by Effie Darlene Barba
There is no pain so great, so deep
As when I see my dear child weep
When sorrows come or dreams are dashed
Their broken heart; their hopes are crashed
The wrenching pain cuts deep my heart
I fear that it shall rip apart
My tears pour down like searing rain
I cannot bear to see their pain
Oh Lord, dear Lord for this I plead
Please let me take their bitter reed
This is my prayer both day and night
Give me their pain and they delight
And then I felt your arm’s embrace
And saw the tears upon your face
The tenderness within your eyes
Had made me pause and realize
That you had felt my pain before
As your dear son my cross had bore
How great the pain you felt that day
My sin upon your son did lay
Your love for me, the guilty one
Endured the pain and watched your son
Bearing the wrath that sin demands
Rejected, beaten, nail pierced hands
And so, dear Lord, help me to see
Your plan for them as was for me
To drive them deep within your arms
Away from all these worldly harms
That they may hear Your Joy-filled song
Sung over them amidst the throng
In You their life remains secure
Your love for them is ever pure
And gentle eyes become their gain
The wisdom, hope that’s born from pain
And points their eyes to always see
Glorious Grace- Eternally
This I know. God loves my children even more than this human heart is capable of and I can trust His plan for their lives. His Grace and Love surrounds them—He will be their Joy. He will be the strength that carries them through the storms of life. He will be their light through their darkest valley. On this I am sure.
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