Timely words...

An Amish Prayer for the Mature Life

Lord, Thou knowest better than I know myself

that I am growing older and will someday be old.

Keep me from getting talkative

and particularly from the fatal habit of thinking

that I must say something on every subject and every occasion.

Release me from craving to try 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 many 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 I might be mistaken.

Keep me reasonably sweet.

I do not want to be a saint.  Some of them are hard to live with.

But a sour old person is one of the crowning works of Satan.

Help me to extract all possible fun out of life.

There are so many amusing things around us 
and I don’t want to miss any of them.

Amen.