O Lord, be gracious to us; we have waited for You. Be their strength every morning, our salvation also in the time of distress. . . The Lord is exalted, for He dwells on high; He has filled Zion with justice and righteousness. And He will be the stability of your times, a wealth of salvation, wisdom and knowledge. The fear of the Lord is his treasure. 
Isaiah 33: 2-6 NASB.

     Unsteady hands had tucked her graying butter tendrils into place and worried her tissue to shreds. Unlike the clothes dryer that made confetti of some hidden messes, her struggle had been private. She held each piece with care and concern. Children wonder and wander, pocket and gift. Children take a stand. Stretch. Lift their chins and lengthen their stride. Will they run? Spread their wings and soar? It is much easier to give them space when they are little tykes. 

     We must wait on the Lord. 
     In the Hebrew/Greek Word Study Bible (NASB), the word for “wait” means to bind together, collect and twist, and to gather together with expectation—to wait for, look for, and hope for. The word also refers to the gathering of waters.

     Mothers collect their thoughts and bind them with Truth. They cling to their only hope; God is able to do all things. He is their reservoir of rescue, wisdom and knowledge. Understanding. Stability. The Lord grants strength to those who grieve when they turn to Him in trust and faith. However, words may fail us and silence threatens. We must pray. But how do we begin?     
     A wise grandmother taught me that when all seems hopeless, words are but a breath and God seems far away, we can pray His Word and promises back to Him:

The Lord is our shepherd. He hears our cries. He rescues. Restores. Revives. Psalm 80
The Lord is good. Gracious and compassionate. He remembers His promises. Psalm 111
The Lord is the keeper of our soul. He is our help. Shade. Protection. He never sleeps. Psalm 121
The Lord surrounds His people. He abides with us forever. Evil can’t harm us. Psalm 125
The Lord makes a way through the deep. Isaiah 43:16
The Lord takes pleasure in His people. He heals the afflicted with His salvation. Psalm 149
The Lord bestows beauty for ashes. Isaiah 61:3
We who believe in God are His children. John 1: 12, 13
We are forgiven. Ephesians 4:32
We are saved by grace. Ephesians 2: 8, 9
God’s gifts and His call are irrevocable. Romans 11:29
God is victorious. Although, we have trouble, He overcomes! John 16:33
God bottles all our tears. He is aware of our suffering. Psalm 56:8 

I smiled as I pulled the tissues from my pockets and tossed the clothes in our washing machine. Sorrow keeps us at the feet of Jesus. Then again, there will come a day when there will be no more tears. 

When mothers pray, the fear of the Lord is their treasure.

Lily Mae

“And He will wipe away every tear from their eyes; and there will no longer be any death; there will no longer be any mourning, or crying, or pain; the first things have passed away.”
Revelation 21: 4 NASB