A Liturgy for Mothers, Part 2

In Part 1, we began by preparing our hearts with confession and the receiving of forgiveness. As mothers, we are so aware of how often we blow it! We ended with the declaration, "Not I, but Christ in me."

This next quote unpacks that idea so practically:

I will cease striving in my own strength and goodness, and walk in Yours. I will celebrate my smallness, my inadequacy apart from You. Apart from you I can do nothing. You alone are my righteousness. I will live in the present moment, always looking to Christ, always practicing His presence, always moving in tandem with him. (Leanne Payne, Restoring the Christian Soul, changed to first person)

For we have this treasure in earthen vessels, so that the surpassing greatness of the power will be of God and not from ourselves. (2 Cor 4:7)

Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ's power may rest on me. That is why, for Christ's sake, I delight in weaknesses...in hardships...in difficulties. For when I am weak, then I am strong. (2 Cor 12:9-10)

My grace is sufficient for you, for My power is made perfect in weakness. (2 Cor 12:9)

There is something so restful about accepting that I am small and He is great, that I am weak and He is strong.

My soul finds rest in God alone; my salvation comes from Him. Find rest, oh my soul, in God alone; my hope comes from Him. He is my mighty rock, my refuge. Trust in Him at all times, O people, pour out your hearts to him, for God is our refuge. You, O Lord, are strong and You, O Lord, are loving. (Ps 62:1-2)

In repentance and rest is your salvation, in quietness and trust is your strength. (Is 30:15)

May your unfailing love rest upon me, O Lord, as I put my trust in You.  (Ps 33:22)  Let me know how fleeting is my life. (Ps 39:4) My times are in your hands. (Ps 31:15) Teach me to number my days aright, that I may gain a heart of wisdom. (Ps 90:12)

It is good to praise the Lord, to proclaim your love in the morning and your faithfulness at night. For you make me glad by your deeds, O Lord; I sing for joy at the works of your hands.(Ps 92:1-2,4)

I shall run the way of Your commandments, For You will enlarge my heart. (Ps 119:32)

This verse brings back to mind the opening call to "enlarge the place of your tent." It is God who enlarges my heart and makes me capable of more than I am in my own strength. This verse also begins a turning of my thoughts to the responsibilities of the day before me, especially the challenges of parenting and educating children.

I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me. (Phil 4:13)

May the favor of the Lord rest upon me, and establish the works of my hands for me. (Ps 90:17)

If we work on Marble

It will perish

If we work on Brass,

Time will efface it.

If we rear Temples,

They will crumble into dust.

But if we work on Immortal Minds;

As we embue them with principles,

With the just fear of God

And love of our fellow men,

We engrave on those tablets

Something that will brighten all

Eternity. 
(Daniel Webster)

Though the education of many children must create abundance of trouble, and will perpetually keep the mind employed as well as the body, yet ‘tis no small honor to be entrusted with the care of so many souls. And if that trust be but managed with prudence and integrity, the harvest will abundantly recompense the toil of the seedtime, and it will certainly be no little accession to the future glory to stand forth at the last day and say, “Lord, here are the children which thou hast given me, of whom I have lost none by my ill example, nor by neglecting to instill into their minds, in their early years, the principles of thy true religion and virtue.” (~Susannah Wesley)

These quotes make me thankful, once again, for the privilege of shaping and molding the young lives God has entrusted me with--despite the "abundance of trouble" they create. There are many ways I might think to spend the hours before me, but little else will last into eternity.

Stay tuned for Part 3, the final section, which moves into specific prayers from Scripture for a mother’s day.