Being a Parent

W HAT IT TAKES TO BE A PARENT By B. Zimmerman

It takes a lot of wisdom
	But it brings alot of joy
And it takes a lot of trusting
	In raising girls and boys.
It takes a lot of patience,
	It takes a lot of prayer,
And there is no lack of needing
	Much tender, loving care.
It takes a lot of listening,
	And story-telling, too.
It even takes some spanking
	And knowing what to do.
We'll see our share of failure
	But if we persevere, success.
There'll be moments of pure sadness,
	But also happiness.
It takes a lot of loving,
	And it takes a lot of tears.
It takes a lot of guidance
	To overcome their fears.
And also self-denial
	Plus a spirit of forgiving.
It takes a sense of humor
	To make for happy living.
It takes a lot of working,
	It takes a lot of leading.
It takes a lot of giving
	And at times it takes some pleading
It takes a lot of helping
	And joining in their playing,
It takes a lot of seeking,
	And we must rely on praying.
It takes a lot of comfort
	When tears flow like a shower.
Then it takes a lot of leaning
	On a higher, nobler Power.
It takes a lot of laughter
	And we're not immune to sighing.
It takes faithful persisting
	To never give up trying.
It takes a lot of clothing
	And it takes a lot of food;
It takes a lot of teaching them
	In wanting to be good.
And perhaps as much as anything
	In all we say and do,
It takes a lot of stepping-forth
	To live a life that's true!




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