Scripture reading: I Thessalonians 2:3–12

Are All the Children In?

O Jerusalem, Jerusalem . . . how often I have longed to gather your children together,

as a hen gathers her chicks under her wings, but you were not willing. (Matt. 23:37)

 

The following poem is one of the most beautiful tributes to mothers I’ve ever seen. It was written by Mrs. Alice Pearson (Heartspun and Homespun Peoms). I first learned of it through the ministry of Focus on the Family and have used it numerous times, especially at funerals. I felt Mother’s Day would be a wonderful moment to share it with you.

I think oftimes as night draws nigh, Of an old house on the hill,

And of a yard all wide And blossom-starred

Where the children played at will. And when the night at last came down Hushing the merry din,

Mother would look around and ask, “Are all the children in?”

 

Oh, it’s many and many a year since then, And the old house on the hill

No longer echoes to childish feet, And the yard is still, so still.

But I see it all as the shadows creep,

And though many the years have been since then, I can hear mother ask,

“Are all the children in?”

 

I wonder if when the shadows fall On the last short earthly day;

When we say goodbye to the world outside All tired with our childish play;

When we step out into the other land

Where mother so long has been, Will we hear her ask,

Just as of old,

“Are all the children in?”

 

If sinners will be damned, at least let them leap to hell over our bodies. And if they will perish, let them perish with our arms about their knees, imploring them to stay. If hell must be filled, at least let it be filled in the teeth of our exertions, and let not one go there unwarned and unprayed for. —Charles Spurgeon

 

point to ponder • Mothers are tied to their children by something much stronger and longer lasting than the umbilical cord.

prayer focus • For children who seem to have lost their way.