[Qcwa] Seems appropriate

[L. S. Staples]

A PRAYER AS WE GROW OLDER =


The author of the following prayer is unknown to me: =


Lord, keep me from the fatal habit of thinking that I must say something =
on
every subject and on every occasion. Release me from craving to straighte=
n
out everybody's affairs. =


Make me thoughtful but not moody; helpful but not bossy. With my vast sto=
re
of wisdom, it seems a pity not to use it all - but Thou knowest, Lord, th=
at
I want a few friends at the end. =


Keep my mind from the recital of endless details - give me wings to get t=
o
the point. =


Seal my lips on my aches and pains. They are increasing and love of
rehearsing them is becoming sweeter as the years go by. =


I dare not ask for grace enough to enjoy the tales of others but help me =
to
listen to them with patience. =


I dare not ask for improved memory but a growing humility and lessening
cocksureness when my memory seems to clash with the memory of others. Tea=
ch
me the glorious lesson that occasionally I may be mistaken. =


Keep me reasonably sweet. I do not want to be a "saint" - some of them ar=
e
hard to live with - but a sour old person is one of the crowning works of=

the devil. =


Give me the ability to see good things in unexpected places and talents i=
n
unexpected people. Give me the grace to tell them so. =


Amen. =



Growing old can be a frightening thing. We worry about what we will be li=
ke
in the years ahead. We hope to be wise and gentle and kind and loving. Th=
e
only way to be that way as an old person, though, is to strive to live th=
at
way every day as a young person. =


 =


Have a great day! =