Two Temples
A builder builded a temple,
He wrought it with grace and skill;
Pillars and groins and arches
All fashioned to work his will.
Men said, as they saw its beauty,
"It shall never know decay;
Great is they skill, O builder!
Thy fame shall endure for aye."
A mother builded a temple
With loving and infinite care,
Planning each arch with patience,
Laying each stone with prayer.
None praised her unceasing efforts,
None knew of her wondrous plan,
For the temple the mother builded
Was unseen by the eyes of man.
Gone is the builder's temple,
Crumpled into the dust;
Low lies each stately pillar,
Food for consuming rust.
But the temple the mother builded
Will last while the ages roll,
For the beautiful unseen temple
Was a child's immortal soul.
--Hattie Vose Hall
I think as mothers we do an extraordinary amount of work that goes unseen. Daily mundane duties that tend to the souls around us. We go to bed exhausted on most days, and wake up to another day of learning, growing, struggling and loving. Even though parenting is super hard, and is the most challenging and emotional stretching I’ve ever done, I know that deep down I am doing some good for my children. I love the stinkers. I’m trying to raise them up in kindness, and to treat others to be kind. We have plenty of meanies out there. We need more people who embrace and share kindness. That’s what I am trying to build each day with my kids.