Blessed HOUSEwife

Oh dear housewife, do you know that you -yes, YOU- have the power to influence the world? 

For more on "housewives" read yesterday's a post below.

Today I want to encourage you concerning the most holy and sacred of vocations, that of Motherhood.  The poem here says so eloquently than my words are unable to paint.  The poem is over 100 years old written by a man.  When first published it was titled, "What Rules the World."

The Hand That Rocks The Cradle
Is The Hand That Rules The World

 Blessings on the hand of women!

                                                       Angels guard its strength and grace,
                                                            In the palace, cottage, hovel, 

                                                         Oh, no matter where the place;

                                                       Would that never storms assailed it,
                                                         Rainbows ever gently curled;
                                                        For the hand that rocks the cradle
                                                         Is the hand that rules the world.

Infancy's the tender fountain,

                                                           Power may with beauty flow,
                                                       Mother's first to guide the streamlets,
                                                       From them souls unresting grow--
                                                           Grow on for the good or evil,
                                                       Sunshine streamed or evil hurled;
                                                         For the hand that rocks the cradle
                                                         Is the hand that rules the world.

                                                      Woman, how divine your mission
                                                           Here upon our natal sod!
                                                   Keep, oh, keep the young heart open
                                                        Always to the breath of God!
    
                                                         All true trophies of the ages
                                                    Are from mother-love impearled;
                                                     For the hand that rocks the cradle
                                                       Is the hand that rules the world.
                                                     Blessings on the hand of women!

                                                      Fathers, sons, and daughters cry,
                                                      And the sacred song is mingled
                                                        With the worship in the sky--
                                                    Mingles where no tempest darkens,
                                                       Rainbows evermore are hurled;
                                                             
                                                        For the hand that rocks the cradle
                                                          Is the hand that rules the world. 

                                                                  published 1865

                                                   William Ross Wallace

Oh that our country would esteem Motherhood the same way!  Perhaps the morality of our culture would be so much for the better if that were so.  But we know.  And lest when dirty diapers, snotty noses, fights, and wining make you forget your sacred calling- look into the eyes of that dear one and consider the influence that you have upon that one life who will in turn influence countless people.

Print this poem out and keep it somewhere noticeable.

Have a great day -you house wife- who has the world in her hands.

Linking today with some great HOUSEwives~

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For All of the Mothers

Have you ever read something and thought, "I could not have put that into words any better?"

I wanted to send you thoughts this weekend about Mother's Day.

I read those below; they are a perfect message. The post is from Teri Lynne.

I hope you enjoy-

I hope that you have a beautiful, blessed weekend.

For the Mothers … All of Them

by Teri Lynne Underwood

As Mother’s Day draws near, may I share from my heart a piece of encouragement?

For the Mothers

For those who have longed for a child of their own and will stay home from church today because it’s too hard – may your heart be cradled by the God who LOVES you.

For those who mourn the child they have lost – may your tears be captured the God who SEES you.

For those who are bleary-eyed and exhausted from late-night feedings and too-early cries – may your strength be renewed by the God who SUSTAINS you.

For those whose breakfast was made by chubby hands and brought to them in bed with crayon-drawn cards – may your joy be doubled by the God who GIVES every good and perfect gift.

For those whose children now text, drive, and date – may your fears and concerns be carried by the God who HOLDS the future.

For those who have watched their children grow up and move out – may your heart hold close the promise of the God who GIVES WISDOM (to you and to them!).

For those who are raising children without the support of husband or family – may you be given strength by the God who HELPS us all.

For those who raise children who are not their own, be it fosters or steps or grands – may your sacrifice of love and compassion be blessed by the God who GAVE His Only for each of us.

For those who will spend this day alone – may you rest in the presence of the God who DRAWS NEAR to the lonely and brokenhearted.

Mothers are not just those who give birth physically, mothers give us life in so many ways … through encouragement and support, through love and shared tears, through sacrifice and struggle … and to those who are mothers in all different forms …

Today, I pray that you know this …

You are LOVED and BLESSED!

Thank you for all you have done and continue to do!