Lord, thank you for your insights into being a new mother by giving me an opportunity to remember the way things were:

When he's fed, dry and warm but still won't stop crying,
let me remember the days I longed to hear his cries.

Let this give me the strength to rejoice in his voice
and try another way to comfort him.

When my arms ache from holding him too long
in one of those awkward positions that only little boys find comfortable,
let me remember how my arms ached to hold him just once.

Let this be my strength to endure for a few more minutes.

When I find myself being overly protective of him
to the point where I'm smothering his development,
let me remember those monitors ringing.

Let this be my strength to give him the room to breath.

When I see him making mistakes that I think I could have avoided,
let me remember his incubator.

Let this remind me that I can give him the boundaries,
I can watch through the walls,
but I cannot live his life for him.

When I see him struggling through something that seems so simple to me,
let me remember his birth and struggle for life.

Let this remind me that he's strong willed
and strong of character,
and with my encouragement and love,
he can work through it on his own.

When he's dawdled too long admiring a toy
or just taking in the sights,
let me remember the endless hours
I spent waiting for him to come home.

Let this be my strength to wait just a little longer
for him to take in the world.

When he has done something especially naughty,
and I have the urge to spank him,
let me remember those loving, yet tense,
pats on the bottom just to make him breath.

Let this temper the moment
and give me the strength to find some other way
to guide him on the right path.

When he's done something especially well,
let me remember all the praise and encouragement
I gave him just for being alive and growing.

Let this help me make the time
to make him feel really special for a job well done.

When he's stayed up way past his bedtime
and I'm tired from a long day,
let me remember his tiny sleeping body and how I wished
those little eyes would open with recognition.

Let this be my strength to listen patiently
to his ramblings and take heart in his smiles.

When he's stayed out too long with a friend,
let me remember those worries and tears when he was so small.

Let this remind me that he's alright
and put some of the worry behind.

Thank you, Lord, for all these things,
for I know if I can just remember them at appropriate times,
they'll help me be a better mother to my son.
But, thank you more for giving me a child
and giving me the chance to be a mother.
I'll do my best not to let either of you down.