“My Little Hero” – A Parent’s Prayer of Protective Love
In this prayer Tracy Groover helps us express the fiercely protective love and undying support we feel for our children especially during the times when we are completely helpless and powerless to fix our children’s problems.
The story behind this prayer
Tracy Groover composed this prayer when her son Joey was two and a half years old and had just been diagnosed with Autism. On this particular afternoon Tracy’s husband was out of town and she was all alone at home during Joey’s nap time. Tracy had just finished reading a book on Autism and was overwhelmed by the thought that Joey’s ability to interact with those around him in the world might be nonexistent. She thought, “He may never speak. He may not ever feel emotion.” Suddenly Tracy’s strong protective love for her son was stirred up as she thought, “If he can’t do this, I’ll do it for him.” Tracy sat down at her desk and took out a pen and paper and began to write this prayer poem.
As the words poured out, Tracy was overcome with the sense that the words flowing onto the paper were being both addressed to her son and also somehow at the same time addressed to her as God speaking directly to her as a parent in great need of divine help beyond her own strength.
Here is Tracy’s prayer poem. Let your strong parental love flow through you as you pray this for your child. Then re-read it to yourself as God’s own personally comforting words for you as you go about the often difficult but always eternally rewarding job of being a parent.
~ My Little Hero ~
if you cannot speak with words
reach out your hand
my voice is yours
if you cannot comprehend
look into my eyes
i will explain it simply
if the world turns on you
come to me
we will stand together
if you feel afraid and alone
in a darkness
where no one can reach you
or understand
know that i am here
to calm your fright
bring light in
and hold you until
you have the strength
to return to me…
never leave you
never let you fall too far
never allow the fear
to chase you beyond me…
if you cannot see me
reach out your heart
mine will answer
without a word
with only a look
i will defend
and i am not afraid
of the monster
lurking under that bed
or in that closet…
this road is tough enough
i want you to know
you are never alone-
i am always here…
Copyright Tracy Groover 2011 all rights reserved