The mother stood looking down at the baby girl asleep in the crib.
She smiled as the child awoke and reached her tiny hand to grasp that of her mother.
And the mother prayed....
"Jesus, take my hand
As I guide this little one.
Give me wisdom as she grows
To lead her to your throne."

The baby grew and when she began to walk, she would sometimes take a spill.
The mother would gently lift her up and say, "Just take my hand, I will walk with you."
And the mother prayed...
"Jesus, take her hand
Guide her steps from day to day.
When my hands cannot be with her
I will lift them as I pray."

The days passed and the mother's hands were very busy. She dried tears, bandaged knees, curled hair, tied ribbons, and checked homework. Sometimes mother and daughter would walk hand in hand into church.
And the mother prayed...
"Jesus, take my hand
Help me teach this little one.
May she learn to trust in You
And know she's loved by God's own Son."

One day, the mother held the daughter's hand as they knelt by the bed. The little girl prayed and asked Jesus into her heart.
And the mother prayed...
"Jesus, she is yours now,
May she follow you each day.
Help my hands to be the ones
To guide her in your ways."

The little girl grew up and became a teenager. She was very busy with school, church, friends, activities....and BOYS! She did not reach for her mother's hand as often as before.
And the mother prayed...
"Jesus, take her hand
I can't always be there.
Jesus, take her hand
Please keep her in your care."

The years passed quickly and one day the mother's hand reached out to adjust the tassel on a graduation cap. Soon, her hands were busy preparing for the daughter's visits home from college. And then one day, the daughter took her mother's hand as they stood together looking into the mirror at the perfect wedding dress.
And the mother prayed...
"Jesus, take her hand
As she builds this brand new life.
Jesus, take her hand
May she be a Godly wife."

The time came when the daughter herself became a mother. When the tiny baby reached out a hand, she took it...then reached for the hand of her mother, for now she finally understood.
And the young mother prayed...
"Jesus, take my hand
As I guide this little one.
Give me wisdom as she grows
To lead her to your throne."

As the years passed, the mother was not as vibrant and active as she once was. Her vision was not as sharp and sometimes she was not as steady when she walked. And the daughter would say, "Just take my hand, I will walk with you."

The one night, the mother released the hand of her daughter and reached out for the hand of Jesus.
And the daughter prayed....
"Jesus, take her hand
She is coming home to You.
Thank you for the memory
Of a mother's love so true."

Someday when the daughter arrives in Heaven, her mother will greet her with a smile.
She will say, "Welcome, my dear child...I have so much to share with you...
Come, take my hand."

~

Shirley Bright

~

Happy Mother's Day!