To The Lord On Parenting Poem by Elizabeth Padillo Olesen

You give way for love
to grow in the hearts
of both man and woman.

Thank you, Lord, for being
the source and fountain of love.

You give them a vow
to seal into a covenant
in marriage to seek
to build a home.

Thank you, Lord, for being
the carpenter of our families.

You give the gift of life
in a womb, a seed to nurture,
a life that can withstand
the strong winds of the time.

Thank you, Lord, for being
the sower and the sustainer.

You give us the joy
to parent a life
to be nurtured in love
and to give out love again.

Thank, Lord, for your being a servant
and a true parent of us all.