Friday, March 27

Psalm 119:1-8

“Happy are all who perfectly follow the laws of God” – Now that shouldn’t be so difficult…and then I start counting the ways I don’t measure up…too many. I found this prayer in some of my devotional materials, written by “An Anonymous Mother Superior” and it seems to fit my situation today.

Lord, Thou knowest me better than I know myself; that I am growing older and will some day be old.

Keep me from getting talkative, and particularly from the fatal habit of thinking I must say something on every subject and on every occasion.

Release me from craving to try to straighten out everybody’s affairs.

Keep my mind free from the recital of endless details; give me wings to get to the point.

I ask for grace enough to listen to the tales of others’ pains; help me to endure them with patience, but seal my lips on my own aches and pains; they are increasing and my love of rehearsing them is becoming sweeter as the years go by.

Teach me the glorious lesson that occasionally it is possible that I may be mistaken.

Keep me reasonably sweet; I do not want to be a saint – some of them are so hard to live with – but a sour old man or woman is one of the crowning works of the devil.

Make me thoughtful, but not moody; helpful, but not bossy.

With my vast store of wisdom it seems a pity not to use it all, but thou knowest, Lord, that I want a few friends at the end.