Mom

I am a man richly blessed.  I have had the influence of three extraordinary mothers in my life.  My own mom, the mom of my sweet bride, and the superlative mom of my kids (who happens to be my sweet bride...funny how that works).  Many women are willing to be the kind of mom they think is best.  Few are willing to be the kind of mom God calls them to be.  In the honor of these three and of all the moms through which God has touched your lives, I offer up this masterpiece by William Ross Wallace.

THE HAND THAT ROCKS THE CRADLE
by William Ross Wallace

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.