For Our Children

My life has been blessed since the birth of little Abby.  I never knew how much a child could transform a mother's life.  I also never realized how quickly the sin nature becomes evident.  She is quite obviously a stubborn child, but I love her regardless. 

When I began assembling a baby scrapbook to remember Abby's milestones I discovered this poem that Amy Carmichael had written.  I printed it off and included it on one of the pages.  In honor of Mother's Day, here's that poem:

For Our Children

Father, hear us, we are praying,
Hear the words our hearts are saying;
We are praying for our children.

Keep them from the powers of evil,
From the secret, hidden peril;
Father, hear us for our children.

From the whirlpool that would suck them,
From the treacherous quicksand, pluck them;
Father, hear us for our children.

From the wordling’s hollow gladness,
From the sting of faithless sadness,
Father, Father, keep our children.

Through life’s troubled waters steer them;
Through  life’s bitter battle cheer them;
Father, Father, be Thou near them.

Read the language of our longing,
Read the wordless pleadings thronging,
Holy Father, for our children.

And wherever they may bide,
Lead them Home at eventide.