I wish God was a woman, but I have a reason why.

We relate to Him in many ways, both when we’re glad and when we cry.

He is our King and Ruler, Our Lover and our Spouse

Our Creator and our Judge, Our Father ruling over the house.

When we pray we often plead for Him to act like our dad

Sure, punish and reprimand us, but it won’t be too bad

Since fathers will always forgive the sins of their sons

And welcome them home once their discipline’s done.

But if God were our mother we’d be much better off

For what mother could stomach the grief and the loss?

No mother could see the columns of smoke

Or the charring of flesh or continued loss of hope.

The bombings, beheadings, mass suicides, death

The genocidal persecution, the gasping for breath.

Too many generations suffering through too much pain

Brothers and sisters crying, their blood falling like rain.

No, a mother would never; It would be too much to take

Even when she’s mad at her children for making mistakes

Her instincts would take over and she’d smite our enemies

From Rome to Spanish dictators to Hamas to the Nazis.

A father may teach lessons; can mete out punishment,

He can tolerate the cries because he knows for what they’re meant.

But when her baby’s crying, a mother must react

Her emotions are too strong to leave him under attack.

In prayer we ask God please, grant us fatherly love

Don’t be too distant like a ruler far above.

Rather, gather Your children, forgive all our faults

And once we’ve learned our lesson, the bad times will halt.

But I wish we could pray to a more female God

Who’s gentle and nurturing, and would put down the rod.

Your children are crying, it’s no time to be just.

Rather help us and save us, as any mother must.

It’s been thousands of years but we’re still not worthy

We keep suffering as we wait for our Father’s mercy.

But if God was our mother we would already be

Back home in Jerusalem, safe, loved and free.

Sarah Potash lives in Teaneck, New Jersey, with aliyah plans for the near future. Sarah is blessed with a wonderful husband and son, both of whom inspire her writing. She enjoys musical theater, reading, and traveling with her family.