mothering – Page 2 – Generous Wisdom

Autumn comes cleanly into my day.
It has us wearing jackets
and opening windows, stacking books
and rearranging toys; it has us moving furniture
and wiping baseboards, walking to school
and praying in church.

The three little ones and I stop in at the sanctuary.
We are there with two women, mopping and dusting,
and we have our first practice sitting with God.
Jesus in the tabernacle; Jesus in our heart.
It lasts twenty seconds.
(Success!).

After nap we pop outside for swinging and soccer,
but the two youngest stoop beside our out-of-service flower-pot,
spying rain around the bottom, and dip their hands
in the dirt-flecked water. Over and again: “Amen. A-men!” he says,
fingers touching forehead. “Amen,” she smiles, crossing herself.
Christ comes cleanly into my day.

“Each one of us is merely a small instrument; all of us, after accomplishing our mission, will disappear.” ~Blessed Teresa of Calcutta

God’s Music

I pour milk
into cereal bowls,
wipe tears,
play cards

I pour water
into small glasses,
wipe the table,
play games

I wrap blankets
around little ones
shivering cold
from the bath

I wrap prayers
around hearts
shivering cold
at day’s end.

It’s time
to know our own needs
and know the needs
of each other.

It’s time
to pour, wipe, play,
and wrap,
to make music, to give back.