Mothers and Mental Sound Tracks

I share the following free verse poem I wrote in 1994 during a time of personal struggle as a mother of teenagers; may God use it to encourage you.

I hate the fact
That I feel the need
To be assured
About my child's spiritual health.

I play fears from the sound track
Of my mind,
Painting images there
That would like to drive me "bananas"
With wondering. Speculation. What if?
Would he really do that?
No, he couldn't possibly!
But then again, maybe he would?
Distrust. Uncertainty.
Needing reassurance.
How small of me.
Why do I struggle like this?

Am I the only mother
Who feels like this?
If I am caught off-guard,
I can be driven to misery for hours
With mental anguish
Until I wake up and realize--
It's happened to me again!

Then I repent, and speak God's Word
Over my child,
Speaking what I expect
God to do in his life.
Speaking my faith.
I put that image
On the screen of my mind,
And I am at peace.

Whatever things I desire
When I pray,
I believe I receive them
When I pray,
And I will have them
Sooner or later.
Keep the image up.
Give the Holy Ghost
Something good to work with.
Be not weary in well doing,
For in due season I shall reap
If I faint not.
Then I find peace.

Has any other mother
Ever felt like plastering the walls
Of "Home Sweet Home"
With scripture verses
To make sure her child
Will hear God shout at him?
Later, I am filled with shame
At such compulsion.

I must remember:
God brought me
Into a love relationship with Himself,
And He can do the same
With my child.
He cares about him
Even more than I do.
Now, that's something
I'm prone to forget.
I've been so used to being
Responsible for him.

How well I remember
Feeling responsible for everything
In years past!
Uptight, and feeling responsible
For myself. For others.
Not even trusting
My own husband sometimes.
Feeling driven to know everything
And fix everything.
Afraid to even trust God
With the life He gave me.
Afraid to let go the puny rope
Of my self-effort
That is about to snap.

If I fear what I can't see,
I can also have faith
For what I can't see.
And when I let go,
I fall upon the Word,
Finding sure and trustworthy promises
Abounding there--
A rich feast for my tormented soul.

I need to constantly
Accept my limitations
And entrust my anxieties to God,
Casting all my care upon Him,
For He cares for me.
Easier said than done.
But do it, I will.
By God's help, I will!

Copyright © 2017 Elaine Beachy

The Days of Robin Hood

Friday morning I sat on the edge of the bed to pray before starting my day. My thoughts went to those who are poor and destitute – especially dads who can't find a job, and struggle with feelings of self-worth because they can’t provide for their families. Families who suffer from poor nutrition because they can’t afford to buy food. Families who can’t afford dental care or doctor visits.

For those with houses falling apart, who are stuck in poor living conditions. For those who struggle to stay warm because they can’t afford to buy fuel or pay their electric bill.

Children who are bullied and mocked at school because they don’t have nice clothes to wear. Children who go to school hungry, and have a difficult time learning because their stomachs growl. Children who go to bed hungry because Mom couldn’t buy enough groceries to prepare an adequate evening meal.

Scenes from the cartoon movie Robin Hood come to mind: the oppressed of the land—those who are most affected by economic conditions created by heavy-handed government taxation and regulations that stifle business initiatives and jobs.

And I cried. I cried for those who have been forgotten and marginalized, relegated to the trash heap of unimportance.

As I stood in the shower and thanked God for my soothing hot water, I prayed for those who don’t have my comforts, and for those who don’t wish to be homeless, but long for a home to call their own. I prayed that in America’s days to come, good jobs will be created, tax burdens will be lifted, and empty stomachs will be filled.

Let us pray to that end. Let us personally ask God to lead us to someone we can help each day, even if just in a small way, whether it’s sharing our money, food, clothing, whatever. We must demonstrate love by what we do. The members of the Body of Christ can and must make a difference, beginning with a next-door neighbor who may be in need. With each one of us praying and doing our part as God brings people across our path day to day, we will make a difference in the lives of those who hurt. People need that personal touch, that kind word of encouragement that accompanies a monetary gift, a loaf of bread, a coupon, a gift card, or an invitation to dinner. There are so many ways your heart and hands can help someone else.

“’For I was hungry and you gave Me food; I was thirsty and you gave Me drink; I was a stranger and you took Me in; I was naked and you clothed Me; I was sick and you visited me; I was in prison and you came to Me.’

Then the righteous will answer Him, saying, ‘Lord, when did we see You hungry and feed You, or thirsty and give You drink? When did we see You a stranger and take You in, or naked and clothe You? Or when did we see You a stranger and take You in, or naked and clothe You? Or when did we see You sick, or in prison, and come to You?

And the King will answer and say to them, ‘Assuredly, I say to you, inasmuch as you did it to one of the least of these My brethren, you did it to Me.’” Matthew 25:35-40 (NKJ)

Let’s take personal responsibility, link arms, and be the people of God He has called us to be!

Copyright © 2016 Elaine Beachy