Bow & Arrow

Today is the day that you release
Your child to the care of another
Of course it will be difficult
You love him* so much, you’re his mother.

But today you must remember this
That a child is a gift from the Lord
And if you want to see him thrive
You need to loosen the cord.

He has His plan for your young one
And though it’s very hard today
In love you need to release the string
To let the arrow go on its way.

This is the first of many times
You will have to say goodbye
Surrendering your child is really loving him
Even if he needs to cry.

And you too will feel wretched
Even have tears too
But give him into God’s hands
Keep praying for him as you do.

He will then grow up to be an adult
Who can stand with God’s help on his own
And you will have done a good job
For God only gives children on loan.

Psalm 127:4

Ruth Jessup

*’he/him’ can be replaced by ‘she/her’

Release

An empty nest?

Having done my best
I must let go
Continue to care
But not caretake
This will make
The fledglings fly
Say goodbye
Yet not forever.

By releasing my hold
I break the mould
So that each may find
The person they are
Away from my care.
Once secure
On their own
They will return
With mature love
The tables will turn
When I need care
They will be there
For me.

Ruth Jessup

Baby Lessons

So many lessons I’m learning
From my tiny new born grandson
When he’s hungry he’s fed
Distressed he gets cuddled
Tired he gets tucked up in bed.

He receives all he needs
Without ever asking
His parents are always there
They don’t ever need to be told
Just give tender loving care

And I have been thinking
I am much like that babe
God provides for me every day
I don’t have to ask He knows what I need
Yet loves to listen to me when I pray.

Ruth Jessup

The Scan

Today I saw a three month old baby
Completely hidden from sight
Being formed in utter seclusion
In the dark, yet in God’s light.

Each delicate part being formed
Woven together in the womb
For in the darkness where no one can see
This baby’s in God’s waiting room.

Awaiting the day when all is complete
We humans call it the birth day
But for God the day was nine months ago
The creation of His new protegé.

Each moment he recorded in His book
Every part knitted one by one
Carefully watching as each was formed
Until the complex work was done.

God knows everything about this baby
Has already charted its way
At such marvellous revelations
I stand in wonder, awe and praise.

Psalm 139

Ruth Jessup

Contented Children

If children have
Stability
Security
A sense of belonging
They will be content.

Contented children
Have no fear
As they receive and give
They build loving relationships
Become well-adjusted adults.

Ruth Jessup

Baby Cinquain

Newborn
Tiny, perfect
Crying, eating, growing
Miracle bringing joy to parents
Offspring.

Ruth Jessup

Brick Wall

Little boy.
Brick wall
Worried dad
“Dont fall,”

Relaxed mum
“Let him be
He is learning
Stability.”

Boy falls
Starts to cry
“It’s only a scratch
You won’t die.”

Be a kid
Take risk
All’s made better
With a kiss.

So in life
Have a go
You cant reap
Before you sow.

Have a try
Walk a plank
If you don’t
Life’ll be blank.

Ruth Jessup

True Childhood

Each new day dawns with promise
Time is of no consequence
Summer holidays stretch out, endless
New encounters unfold in slow motion
Every new challenge is so exciting
Responsibilities are very few
No stresses, strains or anxiety
A whole wide world of opportunity
True childhood!

Let us, as adults, not cause a child to worry
But give them time, never force them to hurry.

Ruth Jessup

Two Acorns

You have two little acorns
All shiny and brown and new
Inside each one there’s an oak tree
How they grow is up to you.

They both need love and nurture
Guidance every day
Will you help them reach their potential
With branches the wind can sway?

If you do you will be rewarded
See them grow up strong and tall
Fulfilling your life when you’re older
Great oaks from acorns so small.

Ruth Jessup

Empty Nest

They call it the empty nest syndrome
It is quite heart-breaking, although
This is what you were aiming for
So now you must just let them go.

You have worked very hard to bring them up
To nurture them, help them to be
Complete independent persons
But now you must let them go free.

If you release them to find their own way in life
One day they’ll return to you
Bringing back to you their grateful thanks
And maybe some grandchildren too.

Ruth Jessup