Assertive but quiet, gets the job done,

Well-rested, well-read, makes everything fun.

Measured and thoughtful, well-planned, never late—

These are the things that make a mom great. 

Neat, put together, makeup applied

But effortless, natural, and flawless inside.

Transparent but guarded, calm, even-tempered—

These are the things that will make you remembered. 

Organic and vegan, homemade, sugar-free, 

No repeated lunches, no snacks after three.

Activities, books, adventures and more,

No laundry in piles and no crumbs on the floor. 

Play dates and trips, lessons and classes,

Take what you learn and then share with the masses. 

Has parties and small groups and loves to play host—

These are the things that the world values most.

She’s witty and clever and selfless and funny

Dabbles in dreams (doesn’t make too much money),

Well-rounded, well-grounded, well-spoken, well-dressed—

These are the things that leave others impressed. 

But what happens when we eventually fall

And realize that we possess some but not all

Of these things, all the things, that might make us feel whole,

That are slowly and steadily draining our souls? 

More, always more, but it’s never enough—

All the schedules, events, all the lists, all the stuff.

If God does not build it, the house stands in vain

And all of this work builds resentment, disdain. 

My kids don’t need idols that look just like me,

They need someone pointing to what sets them free

From sin and from self and from fear and from worry,

From boxes with checks and the pressure to hurry.