A Different Kind of Prayer

[Debbie]

Heavenly Father, Help us remember that the jerk who cut us off in traffic last night could be a single mother who worked nine hours that day and was rushing home to cook dinner, help with homework, do the laundry and spend a few precious moments with her children.

Help us to remember that the pierced, tattooed, disinterested young man who can't make change correctly could be a worried 19-year-old college student, balancing his apprehension over final exams with his fear of not getting his student loans for next semester.

Remind us, Lord, that the scary looking bum, begging for money in the same spot every day (who really ought to get a job), could be a slave to addictions that we can only imagine in our worst nightmares.

Help us to remember that the old couple walking annoyingly slowly through the store aisles and blocking our shopping progress are savoring this moment, knowing that, based on the biopsy report she got back last week, this will be the last year that they go shopping together.

Heavenly Father, remind us each day that, of all the gifts you give us, the greatest gift is love. It is not enough to share that love with those we hold dear. Open our hearts not just to those who are close to us but to all humanity. Let us be slow to judge and quick to forgive and patience and empathetic and loving.

Amen

--- Author Unknown

[Harry]

And thank you God for putting this prayer in Barbiedeb's path so she could share this prayer with us. What I consider a precious prayer to help me with serenity. Acceptance is important to this drunk today. Hardest thing I have ever had to work on.

Harry