OLD TIMER'S PRAYER
Lord, keep me from the habit of thinking I must say something on every subject and on every occasion.
Release me
from the craving 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
the grace to listen to the tales of others pains. Help me to endure them in
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 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 me, O Lord, the grace to tell them so.
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 in the
end.
