Whimsical Nun's Prayer(17th Century)..for grumpy times!

Yesterday I found myself in a grumpy mood, no explanation for it really.  Just felt decidedly grumpy.  Maybe I am on the slippery slope to becoming a grumpy old woman I thought - but it reminded me of a reading that my Mum gave to me and it prompted me to scrabble about amongst my yoga papers to find it.  I'm not sure who originally wrote this piece or even if it was really written in the seventeenth century.  It is just a photocopied sheet that my Mum sometimes reads out in her yoga classes and I have occasionally read in my classes.  I love the whimsical, slightly tongue in cheek tone to it, but it does deliver quite a poignant message.  Needless to say - my grumpy mood lifted, and I resolved never to turn into a grumpy old woman, maybe a slightly batty, eccentric one - but never, ever grumpy!!  Enjoy.......

"Lord, Thou knowest better than I know myself that I am growing older and will some day 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 grace enough to enjoy the tales of other's pains but help me to endure them with patience.

I dare not ask for improved memory, but for a growing humility and a lessening cock-surety when my memory seems to clash with others.  Teach me the glorious lesson that occasionally I may have been 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!
Amen"

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