Inspiration for Moms

Below I am compiling a list of songs, quotes, poems and other things that I and others have found are encouraging when going through a perinatal mood disorder.  May they give you strength and hope.  If you have suggestions for this page, email me at stonecallis@msn.com. 

QUOTES

"If God sends us on strong paths, we are provided strong shoes." -- Corrie TenBoom

"Hope is the feeling you have that the feeling you have isn't permanent." -- Jean Kerr

"Strength is born in the deep silence of long-suffering hearts; not amid joy." -- Arthur Helps

"Bless your uneasiness as a sign that there is still life in you." -- Dag Hammerskjold

From reader Molly N.:  "New life comes after feelings of being forsaken."

From reader Genara D., said to her by her OB: "You do not have to be the perfect mother - no such thing exists.  You just have to be a "good enough" mother for your baby.  And that's all that counts ..."

SONGS

Reader Lauren H. suggests: "Just Breathe" by Anna Nalick

I loved "We Fall Down (But We Get Up)" by Donnie McClurkin

CHRISTIAN INSPIRATION - BIBLE PASSAGES

From reader Tara M.:

The LORD is close to the broken-hearted, and saves those who are crushed in spirit. - Psalm 34:18

So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand. - Isaiah 41:10

When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; and when you pass through the rivers, they will not sweep over you.  When you walk through the fire, you will not be burned; the flames will not set you ablaze. - Isaiah 43:2

I can do everything through him who gives me strength. - Phillipians 4:13

Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you.  I do not give to you as the world gives.  Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid. - John 14:27

But those who hope in the LORD will renew their strength.  They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint. - Isaiah 40:31

2 Corinthians 4:8-9

We are hard pressed on every side, but not crushed; perplexed but not in despair; persecuted, but not abandoned; struck down, but not destroyed.

POETRY

Be like the bird
That pausing in her flight
While on boughs too slight,
Feels them give way
Beneath her, and yet sings,
Knowing she hath wings

-- Victor Hugo

"Shout Out"

By Suzanne Swanson

She told them Fine, told herself

truth/buttressed by judgment/

in a tiny, tinny voice: nothing

working, not natural, not normal

Only later did she tell how

she'd lied: flowing silver lies, lied

to herself, her husband, brittle

black-and-white lies

to her family, to the doctors

She told it then in print--stripped

celebrity and image, turned herself over

to the page--a woman

her unmother-self never

could have even acted onscreen

She told him off: stick

to fighting aliens, stay away from giving

advice unless your own belly births

a child.  You believe only

in tenet, not in story, not in the bodies of women

She told, she tells.  We tell her back:

Yes, yes--me, too--and

No, not like that but every bit as ragged

or not me, but my aunt... my best friend

We say the simple thank-you,

shout out a blessing, to Brooke,

to Marie, to Jane, Wendy, Diana, Shoshanna, Mary Jo.

to ____________, to __________, to ___________.

Insert your names here.

From reader Kim Rogers:

Deeper

I thought I had been pulled to the deepest parts

with nowhere lower to go

my mind, identity, will and spirit

all challenged like never before

I thought I had reached the ends of this pain

that surely I couldn’t bare more

yet God moved His hand and with purpose and plan

somehow opened a door in the floor

So I fall deeper

I sink deeper

I cry harder

my strength wanes

I thought that the hard desert floor where I stood

was finally the bottom of levels

But lo and behold I’ve been sucked down a crack

to be taunted by darkness and devils

When I thought that I couldn’t take any more pain

being broken beyond repair

the pieces were crushed and became just a powder

To be walked on and scuffed without care

so I break harder

I sink deeper

I cry harder

my strength wanes

The word overwhelmed doesn't capture this place

Overwhelmed is passed and long gone

To be misunderstood by the ones that I need

Is a loneliness all on its own

I hadn’t a clue that my innermost  parts

could put forth such anger and spite

I break like fine porcelain tender to touch

with a temper fuse nowhere in sight

so I feel guiltier

I sink deeper

I cry harder

my strength wanes

Oh Father, have mercy, I need you tonight

to lift me up out of this hole

My heart knows You’re here and You followed me in

This all is beyond my control

As deep as You take me I know I’ll survive

I will lift up the wounded with love

No matter the cost I will still hope in You

and I’ll fight to keep looking above

So I’ll fly higher

I’ll float lighter

I’ll cry softer

And my strength will be renewed.

From Karen K.:

The Good Mother by T. McGarrigle

To be a good mother was a priority in my plan,
A painted nursery, tiny clothes and shoes, the safest minivan.

I tried to have it all mapped out so all would flow just fine.
What I didn't realize is that babies don't easily follow along these lines.

Hectic and unpredictable our life has now become.
I envy those Good Mothers -- I wanted to be one.

Now my picture-perfect life seems to unravel before my eyes.
I choke back tears and force a smile. Good mothers do not cry.

Are those good mothers really as all-together as they seem?
Perhaps they are, but to me right now, it only is a dream.

My dream of being a good mother keeps my mind always running wild.
Just for this moment, I need to pause and embrace my little child.

As I look around me, I watch how my standards fall.
Does it really matter if I'm not always on the ball?

The frustration of trying to do it all makes for a heavy laden heart.
Lowering my expectations right now is really very smart.

I know that deep inside of me is the strength to see this through.
For now, I'll do the best I can... for that's what good mothers do.