I remember the day, the morning, the chair I was sitting in.   But I can’t remember if I heard a shout or were the words suddenly painted on the wall. However it happened, my life was forever changed.

I had been studying through the book of Isaiah and that day, it was chapter 49. I could not believe what I had just read; I read it again… again. Immediately I ran to find every translation  in the house. Then I sat down in a puddle of tears… I was 50 years old.

“Can a mother forget the baby at her breast and have no compassion on the child she has borne? Though she may forget, I will not forget you! See, I have indelibly imprinted (tattooed) a picture of you on the palm of each of my hands; Your walls are ever before me” (v 15,16).

What an awesome declaration of love!  Can this be true? And to think this verse is in the Scriptures.

My mother sewed beautiful original dresses for my sisters and me as we were growing up; she trusted me in the kitchen at a young age with precious ingredients the family budget could hardly afford. She has given me a tremendous work ethic, and I appreciate truths she instilled in me… “Never date someone you wouldn’t want to marry”!  How novel is that advice.  And her voice I hear often in the daily details, “If you do it right the first time, you won’t have to do it again.”

Something happened on the way to life… a divorce, family abuse by my father… fragmentation. here-— (you can read my journey) When I became my father’s caregiver, the relationship with my mother was not good. I came to understand she no longer loved me.

Something happens to all of us on the way to life. Changes in life are often difficult to understand, to navigate the broken places and to find peace and truth once again.  To give forgiveness… over and over again.

Mother’s Day was not an easy celebration during the middle years of my adult life.  I envied friends who had a “perfect mother”. As I matured (goodness, how long does it take one to let go of the broken pieces and understand life happens to someone we love and causes such pain and heartache they may never be the same!), I learned to accept the situation without questioning anymore.  I determined to focus on the good qualities I have received from my mother; I am thankful. I am who I am today because of who she was in my life.

I write these words for you… you who struggled to find the perfect Mother’s Day card this year. I encourage you to read the verse again to realize how awesomely you are loved by your heavenly Father:

“Can a mother forget the baby at her breast and have no compassion on the child she has borne? Though she may forget, I will not forget you! See, I have indelibly imprinted (tattooed)  a picture of you on the palm of each of my hands; Your walls are ever before me” (Isaiah v 15,16).

Can you see your picture here…

.

… imprinted… forever.

***A friend sent me this prayer she memorized when her children were small; we will never know who voiced this prayer.  How wonderful if these words were on every mother and every father’s heart.

Father in heaven, make me wise,
So that my gaze may never meet
A question in my children’s eyes.
God, keep me always kind and sweet,
And patient, too, before their need;
Let each vexation know its place,
Let gentleness be all my creed,
Let laughter live upon my face!
A mother’s day is very long, (a father’s day is very long)
There are so many things to do!
But never let me lose my song,                                                                                                              Before the hardest day is through.

(picture is of our second great granddaughter)