When I Am Older, I Will Pray More

I look into a mirror, Lord, and surprised I think “how did I get this old?” The time flew by, and the years have piled up. Now look at me! Maybe it’s not so bad. The years have been your gift, Lord, and I did what I did, right or wrong. Forgive me for everything that was wrong, and continue to encourage me in what is right. Thank you for what I learned along the way. Thank you for memories, Lord, because they comfort me, entertain me, and encourage me. I have no idea how many more years I will have here, but keep me from being discouraged about being old because it really is a blessing. No matter that I may look different, I am still pretty good, and I know that I am good in your eyes. Maybe life is more complicated, maybe there are more tensions and troubles in life, or maybe it just seems that way to me, but without a strong faith I think I would crumble and fall. I need to have the assurance of faith that the world is in your hands, Lord, and that your power is stronger than everything else. When I feel threatened, when I am being cheated, when I see the terrible actions of people, when I hear about crimes, victims, tragedies, I need faith, Lord, to go forward and to keep going. When my health, my location, my bank account, my leaders, my friends or my family give me disappointments or challenges, I need faith to keep going. Right now I am feeling lonely, without the presence of someone else with me. I know that there are people who are interested in me, who care about me, but now it is hard for me to remember that others care, because I feel like I need more. Remind me of the closeness of your love constantly…. Work on me, Lord, to get rid of loneliness by reaching out to others, whether just in spirit and inner concern, or physically to those I can reach, whoever they are. Keep my grandchildren safe and secure in your love. Help them in the many stages they have not yet been through, the many things they do not know, the many temptations they have not yet had, the many decisions they have not yet faced, and the many years they have not yet seen. According to your will, give them long, peaceful and joyful lives, that they may know the contentment of your love. Make them blessings to their parents. I am thankful for those common little blessings of the days: the kindness of a friend, the beauty of flowers, the smooth gelato flavors, the innocent words of a child, the sight of the full moon, the chirping of the crickets, the smell of a bakery, the taste of my favorite pie, complimentary words, an automobile that gives me little trouble, convenience stores, a sale just when I needed it, listening to the rain. And there are the ordinary things that give me joy because I can still do them, such as baking, shopping, reading, watching television shows, going to a movie, hearing a concert, taking a shower, going out to dinner, hugging a friend, visiting an old acquaintance, traveling, buying something new. I am so sorry that often I am unmindful of how many good things I enjoy, but right now my heart is overflowing with thanksgiving for the abundance of daily blessings. Retirement means a change, adjustments in time, finances, activities, maybe friendships, maybe places, and Lord we need your guiding light and loving care in these changes and adjustments. Some things are within our control, and some things are totally a mystery, out of our hands. Do not let us go astray down selfish pathways. Keep us from a feeling of uselessness, Lord, because as long as we have days to live, we have days to be useful and important. Lord, keep us from becoming antisocial, uninterested, depressed or isolated. As I remember the birthday of this dear loved one, I think about that life that was so important to me. The life of that person was a gift to me, Lord, one of your blessings that I still cherish and am thankful for to this very day. That I can remember the influence this person had on me, the many good things we shared, the days we were together, the sorrowful times in which we had to support each other, is a great gift that I enjoy today. A birthday is a time to celebrate, as we did when we were together, so let me this day celebrate our lifetime together, our loving relationship and the joys we shared.