A Prayer of St. Teresa of Avila
Lord,
Thou knowest better than I myself
that I am growing older and will someday be old.
Keep me from the fatal habit of thinking
I must say something on 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.
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.
Keep my mind free from the recital of endless details;
give me wings to get to 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 improved memory,
but for a growing humility and a lessening cock-sureness
when my memory seems to clash with the memories of others.
Teach me the glorious lesson that occasionally I may be mistaken.
Keep me reasonably sweet, for 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 in unexpected people;
and give, O Lord, the grace to tell them so.
Amen.
St. Teresa of Avila
Keep me from the fatal habit of thinking I must say something on every subject and on every occasion. Wow - was she a blogger?
Great prayer! If it's not an impolite question though, are you still writing? Love it when God uses your gifts to help people worship Brenton. May God bless you and 'inspire' you - literally breath his living life giving word into you mate. Hope I'm not being too personal, after all you haven't got a clue who I am (could be a nutter!) but through your writing you have become known to, and loved, by many.
What a great prayer for many of us who stand in the crux of being young and being old. ...well, that's where I see myself, I won't speak for u...
Gosh, Brent, that is pretty profound.Exactly what God has been showing me the past few days! Will have to print it out and keep it somewhere.