Duct-Taped Smiles (Poem)

 

Duct-Taped Smiles
(A Mother’s Day Poem)

As a mother, you reminisce over the many winding roads you’ve travelled;
Filled with wonder and with joy, though at times your threads seem a little frayed and tangled;
But the Lord has paved your path with love over each and every weary mile -
The cracked pottery of your life is covered with bandaged elbows and duct-taped smiles.

Each day of motherhood is like a book, with the pages a little tattered, a little torn;
By gleaning God’s wisdom through the years, those rough edges have softened and become a little worn;
The cover is more faded now, and you see some new creases here and there,
But the joy of being a mother is a blessing - naught else could ever compare.

Along the journey of their childhood, the memories of each precious loved one flood your heart.
To see them grow, following in your footsteps - so many wondrous miracles, oh where to start?
Showing them the Saviour and how He brought you through all those fiery trials,
Brings a tear or two sometimes, but also lasting joy, and even more duct-taped smiles.

The Lord uses motherhood to teach us lessons we may not at first understand,
But through the hard days, and through the growing years, you catch glimpses of His perfect plan.
When you see your children all grown up, remembering each little hand you used to hold,
It is then you realize, this broken pottery has been transformed into a treasure of purest gold.

March 30th, 2024
Jerry Bouey

(Dedicated to my friend, Deborah Cox, who helped me iron out the words of this poem. Thank you for being a blessing to me.)

Psalms 68:13 Though ye have lien among the pots, yet shall ye be as the wings of a dove covered with silver, and her feathers with yellow gold.