RISE UP
“Her children rise up and bless her.” –Proverbs 31:28
A Praise, a Prediction, a Prayer
For Judah’s Mother
For Cindi’s Twenty-Sixth Birthday
Tuesday, July 18, 2006
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Rise up, O Judah, rise and bless
The Father of the fatherless,
The God who rescued you from shame
And gave you family and name,
The God who gave you breath and life,
And gave your dad a priceless wife
So you would not be motherless.
Rise up, O Judah, rise and bless.
Rise up, O Judah, rise and bless
A mother who adorns with dress
That does not fall with trends and time
But ever proves to rise, sublime,
Above all lowly fashions here–
A hearty love; a godly fear.
For this unfailing righteousness,
Rise up, O Judah, rise and bless.
Rise up, O Judah, rise and bless
The velvet steel that brought success
And life and peace and joy and health
And always sought to build a wealth
Of things that mattered most. Arise,
And learn to constantly devise
New ways to praise your mother. Yes,
Rise up, O Judah, rise and bless.
Rise up, O Judah, rise and bless
The heart that served you. Stand, profess
That here we saw the heart of God–
In nurture, training, care, and rod.
She never missed a day of love
Just like the sun that shines above.
For this, her servant-heartedness–
Rise up, O Judah, rise and bless.
Rise up, O Judah, rise and bless
A mother who withstood distress
And hurt and sacrifice and pain
To serve us both. Let us complain
Just that she gave more than she had,
‘Til there were no more aches to add.
Though you stand speechless, nonetheless:
Rise up, O Judah, rise and bless.
Rise up, O Judah, rise and bless
Her never-ceasing tenderness
That fed and washed and gave and taught,
Protected, listened, prayed, and sought
To teach you well and make you wise.
Thank God that He hears orphans’ cries
And grants them moms with gentleness.
Rise up, O Judah, rise and bless.
Rise up, O Judah, rise and bless
Your mother for her faithfulness
To husband, children, house, and home.
Grow tall, and when you finally roam
Away from us to make your life
And find yourself a priceless wife
Who mirrors your mother’s loveliness–
Rise up, O Judah, rise and bless.
Rise up, O Judah, rise and bless
This mother of the motherless,
The mom who loved you and became
Your servant, guard, and friend. Proclaim
The grace that gave you breath and life
And gave your dad a priceless wife
So you would not be motherless.
Rise up, O Judah, rise and bless.
© David A. Gundersen, 2006
davidagundersen.com 