Sunday, August 12, 2007

A Mother's End of Summer Prayer by Debbie Farmer

I had this in my church bulletin this week and had to share it with all my
friends with kiddos. Have a Kleenex ready, cause I had tears in my eyes at the end! It goes like this:
Dear God,
Grant me the strength to last until Back to School Night.
Give me the energy to drive the swim team carpool, take knots out of wet shoelaces with my teeth and untangle the dog from the sprinkler hose one last week.
Grant me the wisdom to finally remember the name of the redheaded kid from down the street who hasn't left our house since early July.
Walk with me through the backyard over piles of wet bathing suits and empty ice cream cups, to rescue my good lipstick from the bottom of the wading pool.
Give me the courage to accept that everything in the refrigerator either has a bite out of it, had a finger stuck in it or is reproducing in the vegetable crisper underneath the expensive cheese.
Guide me down the hallway to the laundry room, where I can experience five minutes of peace and quiet by turning off the lights and climbing on the dryer so the kids can't see my feet under the door.
Help me accept the fact that even if I take the kids to the circus, install a pool in the backyard, go on a safari, and carve a redwood tree into a canoe and sail down the Congo, my children will end each day with "I'm bored."
Grand me the serenity to smil when my husband insists on tossing the Hamburger Helper on the gas grill because "everything tastes better barbecued."
In your infinite wisdom, show me how to disconnect the video game console that hasn't been turned off since June 22nd.
Comfort me when I realize the color of my earth-tone carpet has changed into a mixture of melted blue Popsicle and the remains of somebody's purple slushie.
And if I ask too much, God, just give me the foresight to know that one day-not too many years from now-the barbeque, television, and sprinkler hose will be off; the refrigerator, front door and garage will be closed, and I will wonder where my children-and the little redheaded boy with glasses-went!
Enjoy your day, take care and God Bless. And try to stay cool! Missouri is definitely HOT! It's going to be 100 today at least!

5 comments:

Kelly said...

What a great prayer Debbie! This really hits home, my girls go back to school on Wednesday. This is bittersweet for me...I'm thrilled to be on a better more organized scheduled...yet it makes my heart sad because time goes by too fast. Wednesday, August 15 will mark another school year...Erika will be in 10th grade and Erin in 8th grade. Before we know it, Christmas will be here (YIKES!).
~blessings,
Kelly

Theresa Tyree said...

My Ryan is going back on Wednesday too. It's so sad. He'll be a sophomore. I'll get to hand on to Connor until after Labor day.

Such a bittersweet prayer. Thanks for sharing, Deb!

Theresa Tyree said...

Oops, I meant Hang on to Connor.LOL!

Anonymous said...

Too funny! Thanks for the laughs, Debbie!

=) Liz

Amy Birch said...

That's a great prayer, Debbie! I'm always sad when school starts back up because summer is over. Oh where, OH WHERE did our summer go?!!

Good night my friend! I was going to do this week's challenge tonight, but I'm too tired.

zzzzzzzz :)