Lord, you know =
better than I myself know, that I am growing older and will someday be =
old.
Keep me from being talkative and particularly from the fatal =
habit of thinking that I must say something about every subject and on =
every occasion.
Release me =
from craving to straighten out everybody’s affairs.
Make me =
thoughtful but not moody; helpful, but not bossy. =
I ask for =
grace enough to listen to the tales of others’ pain.
But seal =
my lips on my own aches and pains–they are increasing, and my love of =
rehearsing them becomes sweeter as the years go =
by.
I dare not ask =
for improved memory, but for a growing humility and lessening =
cocksureness when my memory seems to clash with the memories of others. =
Teach me the glorious lesson that occasionally, it is possible that =
I may be mistaken.
Give me the =
ability to see good things in unexpected places, and talents in =
unexpected people.
Keep my mind =
from the recital of endless details — give me wings to come to the =
point.
With my vast =
store of wisdom, it seems a pity not to use it at all, =
But you know, =
O Lord, that I want a few friends at the end.
Amen=
[anonymous, =
with a hundred variations across the ‘net]
~~
Dr Bob Griffin =
[email protected] =
www.grif.net
"Jesus =
Knows Me, This I Love!"