Surrounded by the arms of a mother. A secret garden of butterflies and rainbows where only moms and kids allowed. A hidden place of “their” songs and kisses to make it all feel better. Like quieted birds nestled beneath the sheltered wings of its mother, so is a child who finds comfort near the heartbeat of the one who gave them life.
As a grandmother peering through the lenses of our daughter’s lives, those angels whose arms are full with our ten adoring grandchildren. I am in awe of their tangled web of “heartstrings” that tug and pull on a mother’s love to her child and back again. Mothers hear every cry, albeit faint of her child. Mothers know the right words at her child’s inconsolable moments. Mothers sing that song reserved just for the two of them.
This maternal bond is a mystery.
As a mother comforts her child… Isaiah 66:13 NIV.
Love never fails. 1 Corinthians 13:8 NIV.
It was a recent hospital stay for our daughter where I had a front row seat to the “heart-string” tug from our granddaughter Ayva for her mother. Out of ten grandchildren, Ayva has always favored and found contentment in my arms. But an inconsolable moment of Ayva grieving the absence of her mother had me dialing for a Face-time call to our daughter. Just hours post surgery and propped up by a pillow, our daughter’s face on the phone was as a window being watered from a summer rain of Ayva’s tears at first sight of her mother. Finding solace in their secret garden for two, Ayva’s mother began to sing their special song for comfort. For a quick second I reminisced our song, “You are My Sunshine” believing my daughter passed it on to Ayva. Yet the tune “Happy Birthday” was the heart-string that pulled on Ayva’s heart.
As a child of God, we never get too old where our Father doesn’t stop for the cries of his children as “He is the God of all comfort…” 2 Corinthians 1:3. The love God has for us is personal. He will meet you at at your moment of dire despair.
I was a twenty-eight year old divorced, single mom of two, when the comfort of God found me during a night of sheer darkness. Never being on my own before and feeling the weight of caring for a baby and a six year old, I suffered abandonment as a child afraid, wondering the streets. I was overcome by loneliness; alone, and desperately not wanting to be. Minute by minute the heaviness of the midnight hour tormented me. I began sinking in the implosion of my brokenness. In desperation I cried out for God and His comfort. As a mother rushing to the side of her weeping child, God came to me and pulled on our heart-string as a “hush” I can’t explain, which stilled and quieted my heart.
“As a mother comforts her child, so will I comfort you….” Isaiah 66:13
Moments as You Sleep By Lori A Alicea
Find peaceful sleep my little child,
Soft blanket rest your head.
Oh hear my voice your lullaby,
And story that I read.
Stay calm and quiet in your dreams,
Your fret the angels keep.
I hover you my precious child,
These moments as you sleep.
Take comfort child when you awake,
You’ll always find me here.
For every cry though loud or faint,
My love forever near.
“As a mother comforts her child, so will I comfort you….” Isaiah 66:13
Apples of Gold Encouragement 