A Psalm for Mothers Day---and every day...

Mothers Day can be difficult to handle if we dwell on what we don't have. But I hope the following will provide a life-affirming alternative.

The Psalms, as you know, is a book of songs and prayers. When we're weary and sad, when grief weighs down our mind, a psalm can step in and speak to God on our behalf. When we open the book of Psalms we'll find laments for the bad days and praises for the days we understand.

But have you ever wondered what God might say to you, personally, in the Psalms? I recently took a look at Psalm 139, one of my favorites. The phrases familiar, the heart cries always genuine and fitting, its rich truth nourishes and sustains me like a long-time friend.

I've spoken this psalm to God many times. But what would it be like if God replied, I wondered?

The words that follow are my paraphrase of the Lord's response to my personal Psalm 139.
I hope you'll feel the voice of the Lord saying them to you,too. And I hope they'll help carry you through Mothers Day and every day.

Dear child,
I have searched you; I know everything about you.
I know when you sit and when you rise;
I perceive your thoughts even when you're far away from Me.
I understand your going out and your need to lie down;
I'm familiar with all your ways and habits.
I even know the words you'll speak before they come out of your mouth.
I have hemmed you in--behind you and in front of you.
My hand is on your shoulder, but you don't always know this.
Such knowledge is too wonderful for you, and too lofty for any human mind to attain.
I am always with you. Where could you go from My Spirit?
Where could you flee from My presence?

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If you ascend to the stars of the heavens, I am there;
if you descend to the deepest pits of the earth--if you make your bed in the depths--I am there.
If you rise on the wings of the dawn, flying away to settle on the far side of the sea,
even there My hand will guide you. My right hand will hold you fast and secure.
If you say, “Surely this darkness will hide me from God's sight, for my loss and despair snuff out the light of day; light has turned to night around me--!"
Even that dark night of the soul will not be dark to Me;
The night shines bright like the day---I see you clearly, My child.
Darkness is as light to Me. I see, I care, I love.
For I created your inmost being; I knit you together in your mother’s womb. You are fearfully and wonderfully made; I'm fully confident of your quality; My works are wonderful---and you are one of them---I know that full well.
I saw your frame at the very inception of your life. I wove together your DNA molecules as they formed your body in the pre-born soft darkness deep inside your mother.
I have ordained each and every one of your days. I've written them in My book about you. I wrote them all out before you ever existed. I know your whole story. I see beyond today's pain-filled page to the chapters of hope and happiness that await. Your husband is safe and secure in My arms. He knows, too, that it will be worth it all when you turn the page and see how I've worked all these things together for your good.
Yet there's the emptiness, the anger, the mistrust, the fear you've been betrayed . . . I know. I let my Son go through that, too. And then He was raised to life! Only believe. Be still. Watch and wait.
Aren't these thoughts of My watchcare, interest and love for you precious and vast?
If we were to add them up they would light your dark grief like the the sparkling points of a city at night. To count them would be like trying to number the grains of sand on the seashore.
Sleep well, my beloved one.
When you awake . . .
I am still with you.