when mothers were little girls

mothers once were little girls,

and they too wanted to be heard

but there was no one there to listen to them,

no one there to care

and if there was it was often too late,

but then maybe it's never too late

oh God, please don't let it be too late

these mothers needed fathers too when they were little girls

there was no one there to hold them or to try to understand

everyone in their lives projected the pain they had received

and only perpetuated the sense of hatred and bitterness

oh God, let these mothers, these children be forgiving

no one is born responsible for all the pain

it's never any one person's fault

all the parents were children once

and everyone needs love

and needs to be taken care of

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i had coffee with two of the mothers from our program and i was shocked - i had never thought specifically how these mothers' childhoods might have been - and now it's clear, they too were needy, broken and abused and the thread of redemption i see in their stories via their children's faith is one of the most beautiful things i have been privileged to observe.

God of wonderful grace, i thank you for children and for open hearts willing to forgive and willing to believe in your love. Thank you for mothers and for healing - thank you for hearing us all. amen.