One Day at a Time

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Lord,

May today there be peace within.

May I trust You that I am exactly where I are meant to be.

Help me not forget the infinite possibilities that are born of faith.

May I use the gifts that you have given me,

And pass on the love that has been showered upon me.

May I be content knowing that I am a child of God.

May Your presence settle into my bones,

And allow my soul the freedom to sing, dance, praise, and love.

Amen

Golden Years: Here I Come!

I have many, many reasons just to shout out, “PRAISE YOU LORD!  I THANK YOU AND GIVE YOU ALL THE GLORY!!!”  and I do shout it from the very depths of my soul!

But today is the Feast of St. Theresa of Avila.  I attended a study of her life a few years ago, but seemed to bog down in it.  I still so love my chosen Confirmation saint, St. Therese of Lisiuex.  But never-the-less, I thought I might find a nice prayer of praise from St. Theresa of Avila.  My first search found this prayer about growing older.  I found myself getting a little smile on my face as I read it while thinking that it wasn’t for me.  But as I continued on, I was struck by what a wonderful prayer it is.  In my times I spend with my peeps at the nursing home and my new friend with whom I “sit” each day, I see that I too am heading down that same path.  So Lord, tonight along with my shouts of praise, I also offer this prayer of petition.

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.

– – – prayer by St. Teresa of Avila

Read more at Prayer of St. Teresa of Avila

Wide Open Day

May today there be peace within. 

May you trust God that you are exactly where you are meant to be. 

May you not forget the infinite possibilities that are born of faith. 

May you use those gifts that you have received,

and pass on the love that has been given to you.

May you be content knowing you are a child of God. 

May His presence settle into your bones,

and allow your soul the freedom to sing, dance, praise, and love. 

It is there for each and every one of us.

From St. Therese of Liseuex