What Mothers Cannot Do

Lord,
in this frenzied puttering
around the house,
see more!
The dusting,
straightening,
muttering,
are but the poor
efforts of a heavy heart
to help time pass.
Praying on my knees
I get uptight;
for hearts and lives
are not the only things
that need to be
put right.

And, while I clean,
please,
if tears should fall,
they’re settling the dust,
—that’s all.
Lord, I will straighten
all I can
and You—
take over what we mothers/sisters/aunts . . .
cannot do.

by Ruth Bell Graham - italicized words added by me