O Lord, You
know far better than I do that I am getting older by the day - and one day
I really will be old. Save me from my illusion of having to say something at every opportunity. Preserve me
from my great passion of desiring to sort out everybody else's affairs. Teach me to
be reflective, but not too introspective - and teach me to be supportive, It would be such a shame not to pass on my vast amount of knowledge - but You, O Lord, fully
understand that I would like to retain a few of my old friends, too. Save me from
trying to list endless details and give me the energy to be able to get to the point
of something swiftly. Teach me to
keep silent about my own illnesses and complaints - for they are increasing
day-by-day - and the will to describe them in detail to other people I hardly dare
to beg the gift of being able to listen gladly to other people's tales of sickness,
but teach me to at least bear with them patiently. Grant me the
wondrous vision to see that I too can make mistakes and keep me I wish not to
be a saint - for such people are so hard to live with - but to end up as an old grumpy-grouch
would be the Devil's crowning glory. Teach me to find unexpected talents in other people - and grant me, O Lord, the gracious gift of being able to praise them, too.
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