For an Angel of a Mother

truly heaven’s best invention,

she’s always busy doing deeds--

too numerous to mention,

There’s just no way to measure

all the love and joy she brings,

Yes, a mother is an angel

When God Created Mothers

When the good Lord was creating mothers, he was into his sixth day of overtime when an angel appeared and said, "You're doing a lot of fiddling around on this one."

And the Lord said, "Have you read the spec on this order? She has to be completely washable, but not plastic...have 180 movable parts - all replaceable...run on black coffee and leftovers...have a lap that disappears when she stands up...a kiss that can cure anything from a broken leg to a disappointed love affair...and six pairs of hands."

The angel shook her head slowly and said, "Six pairs of hands? No way." "It's not the hands that are causing me problems," said the Lord, "it's the three pairs of eyes that mothers have to have."

"That's on the standard model?" asked the angel. The Lord nodded. "One pair that sees through closed doors when she asks, "What are you kids doing in there?" when she already knows. Another in the back of her head that sees what she shouldn't but what she has to know. And, of course, the ones in front that can look at a child when he goofs up and say, "I understand and I love you" without uttering a word."

"Lord," said the angel touching his sleeve gently, "go to bed. Tomorrow is another..." "I can't" said the Lord "I'm so close now. Already I have one who heals herself when she is sick, can feed a family of six on one pound of hamburger, and can get a nine-year old to stand under a shower."

The angel circled the model of a mother very slowly. "It's too soft." she sighed. "But tough!" said the Lord excitedly, "You cannot imagine what this mother can do or endure."

"Can it think?" "Not only think, but it can reason and compromise." said the Creator.

Finally, the angel bent over and ran her finger across the cheek. "There's a leak." she pronounced. "It's not a leak," said the Lord, "it's a tear." "What's it for?" "It's for joy, sadness, disappointment, pain, loneliness and pride."

"You are a genius." said the angel. The Lord looked somber. "I didn't put it there."

REFLECTIONS OF A MOTHER

I gave you life, but cannot live it for you.

I can teach you things, but I cannot make you learn.

I can give you directions, but I cannot be there to lead you.

I can allow you freedom, but I cannot account for it.

I can take you to church, but I cannot make you believe.

I can teach you right from wrong, but I cannot always decide for you.

I can buy you beautiful clothes, but I cannot make you beautiful inside.

I can offer you advice, but I cannot accept it for you.

I can give you love, but I cannot force it upon you.

I can teach you to share, but I cannot make you unselfish.

I can teach you respect, but I cannot force you to show honor.

I can advise you about friends, but cannot choose them for you.

I can advise you about sex, but I cannot keep you pure.

I can tell you the facts of life, but I can't build your

reputation.

I can tell you about drinking, but I can't say "no" for you.

I can warn you about drugs but I can't prevent you from using them.

can tell you about lofty goals, but I can't achieve them for you.

I can teach you about kindness, but I can't force you to be gracious.

I can warn you about sins, but I cannot make you moral

I can love you as a child, but I cannot place you in God's family.

I can pray for you, but I cannot make you walk with God.

I can teach you about Jesus, but I cannot make Jesus your Lord.

I can tell you how to live, but I cannot give you eternal life.

I can love you with unconditional love all of my life...and I will!

Love always,

the more I notice outrageous beauty

of stars and moon against the sky

the softer a baby’s skin feels...

The less panicky I am during sleepless nights...

The less easy answers I have...

The hungrier I am for connectedness..

The less I know, the more I wonder...

The longer I linger in snowfalls...

The more I understand children’s logic

the less rigid I am...

The mightier the ocean seems each time I visit...

The gentler I am with myself...

The less I think of what I think...

The faster I clean my house...

The wiser I long to be...

The more I realize how impatient I’ ve always been with life ...

The more opportunities I see in each day...

The more I think about the miraculous gift

Beethoven gave to the world...

The more I play

the less I think of what others think...

The closer I feel to old friends..

The more natural prayer seems...

The more I enjoy a simple cup of tea...

The hotter I draw my bath water and the longer I lie in it...

T.H.E L.O.N.G.E.R I L.I.S.T.E.N

the wider berth I give to sorrow in the grand scheme of things

the younger in spirit I feel...

The quieter my inner self becomes...

The greater my appreciation of HARMONY...

The more time I spend looking at stained glass windows...

The more comfortable I am with solitude...

The more I see good coming out of difficulties...

The more grateful I am to be alive

THE MORE BEAUTIFUL