Mother's Daughter

I look at her and my anger burns,

My love and care she continually spurns,

I try to pull her in as she pushes away,

Safe in my care, I just want her to stay.

Safe and surrounded in love’s my desire,

To pull her to safety as she’s playing with fire.

“Your folly,” I cry, “will hurt you in the end.”

She treats me the enemy, when I’m her true friend.

The ache in my soul overwhelms my heart,

I want her close, she keeps us apart.

Silence is her hammer, she pushes me out,

My wisdom she questions, she embraces her doubt.

I cry out in pain, “I can see things you don’t!”

Trust me or listen, she just simply won’t.

On the straight path, I hope she will stay,

Middle fingers up, she goes her own way.

I’ve waited, I’ve cried and I’ve begged and I’ve pled,

Fallen all on deaf ears, every word that I’ve said.

Her heart is hard, into the dark she willfully races,

“I’ll do it my way,” is the life she embraces.

A reckless life, not counting the cost,

She chooses to live her life just like the lost.

The grief in my heart for these sad, estranged years,

Dejected I sit, drenched in my tears.

Weary from the battle I continue to lose,

Finally then, to look up is what I choose.

“Father,” I whisper, “I don’t know what to do.”

He whispers right back, “She looks just like you.”

“Going on your own, doing things your own way,”

“Refusing to rest and to trust, have faith every day.”

“How many times have I called you, yet you refuse to come near,”

“And you know I’m the one Who can make your path clear.”

“My love has been pure, patient and kind,”

“Your love and your pride are badly entwined.”

“In folly you thirst, and yet reject My Living Water,”

“Blind to the truth, she’s simply her mother’s daughter.”

“I’m the One you can trust, I Am your True Friend,”

“Stop going your own way, and on Me just depend.”

“Weary from your chase, it’s time to let go,”

“Put this in My trustworthy hands that you know.”

Beaten and broken, I’ve striven too long,

Forgetting in rest is where I belong.

This futile fight was never meant to be fought,

Chasing a runaway has left me distraught.

“I see it now, Father, I’ve run away too,”

“It’s time I relent and just run to You.”

“Help me let go, and let You fight for her soul,”

“After all, to be her savior was never my role.”

“Help me, Abba, until I surrender in full,”

“Take back Your throne, in my life reign and rule.”

“I remember now, You are in control,”

“To be both our Saviors was always Your role.”

By Diana DePriest

© September 19, 2023