At Joy Ranch, Mother’s Day can be a very hard time for our children so we do not celebrate the holiday in our cottages. They are not with their biological mothers and you can see why that would be upsetting to them. Of course, our kids love their houseparents and the wonderful godly women they consider a house “mom”, but it’s not to fill the hole in which being separated from their own mother.

This Mother’s Day, in light of our 60th anniversary, we wanted to highlight Mrs. Mary Z. McHenry who was married to Richard McHenry and assisted in founding Joy Ranch. Even though she never had children of her own, she was a compassionate, Christian woman who worked very hard to make sure children in need had a Christian home in which to live. In addition to having a heart for children, she was a very talented writer!

Here’s a poem from her poetry book entitled “Draw Me Tenderly”:

Draw Me Tenderly

Ah, dear Lord, You are my life,
I know and feel Your love for me,
Reach down with everlasting arms-
And draw me tenderly.

When it’s dark, You are my light,
When I fear You comfort me,
I need Your everlasting arms-
O God, draw me tenderly.

And some day when I hear Your call,
And sorrow, pain, and suffering flee,
Reach down for me with loving arms
And draw me tenderly.

The Lord said, “Yea, I have loved thee with an everlasting love: therefore with lovingkindness have I drawn thee.” ~Jeremiah 31:3

We are so thankful to our houseparents for providing such selfless, loving care for these children. We’re also grateful for donors, volunteers, staff, and prayer partners who support our ministry.