Prayer for new mothers

Father, 1 John 4 says, "We love Him because He first loved us." The order matters. Not me reaching for You first. You reaching for me first.

I have been confused about the direction lately. Sitting in this chair in the dark, holding this warm weight against me, trying to stir up enough love for You to feel like a good enough mother. As if the power starts with me.

But the power starts with You. My love for You flows from Your love for me. When my love feels small, it does not change Yours. It just shows me where the source really is.

Let me stop trying to force love out of my own strength. Let me look at the cross instead and watch Your love move from there into me. The response comes after the receiving. Always.

Let me be the one who receives first.

Amen.