(Written for all you mamas whose kids are going their own way right now, in a direction you know is harmful or less than great.  My heart is with you.  I have been there.  Hold on.  Not to them, but to Him.  He’s working on their story right now…I promise.)

No more spit baths to wash it away

Not enough bandaids to cover your pain

Can’t kiss the owies your choices have made

This is no broken window your allowance can pay.

Can’t rock you to sleep and give you sweet dreams

You’re too big for fairytales but want one, it seems

When you run, I can’t chase you

Though I know that you’ll fall

I can no longer hope that you’ll come when I call

But you’re still my baby

And all I can see

Is that I can’t help you

And it’s killing me.

The things that you’ve picked up

Have made your hands dirty

But no washcloth or kisses can help how you’re hurting.

Are you too old to climb in my lap

And let the world spin without us on the map?

Why can’t I stop you or keep you from harm?

Why can’t I just keep you right here in my arms?

Carefree days on swings and slides

Seem so far away from your current thrill rides.

Was I not enough, did I do something wrong?

Could you not feel my love though I know it was strong?

But just now it hits me, that I’ve done the same.

Run from my Father as if it’s some game.

Going my own way but refusing the blame.

And the role that you’re playing now bears my name.

A perfect Father  loves me, His wayward child

Though He set a path, my heart chose to go wild.

I’ll always be His baby, though I think myself so wise

As if my Father’s wisdom can’t surpass my my measly tries.

Instead of running after you,

I’ll run back to my Father

And trust that He will woo your heart

As He’s done for me, your mother.

I’ll ask Him to kiss your boo boo’s

Pick you up each time you fall

And lead you back onto the path

I’ll ask Him for it all.

For though I love you more than life

And more than my next breath

Jesus loves you more than I

And proved it through His death.

Oh, child of mine, I await the day

When you come back to me

I’ll be waiting here with open arms

Forever, always,

Your mommy