Aging

Help us be tolerant, Oh Lord, of the aged and their forgetfulness; of those that are different in nationality, color, religion, in likes and dislikes; in the infirm and the handicapped, mentally and physically. Let us not look for differences but see the beauty of God in all people.

Help us have patience with ourselves as we age, become forgetful and with aches or handicaps ourselves. As our vision, our hearing, and our memory shrink in acuity. Let us remember God loves all of us just as we are and helps us strive to be the best we can be at all times and at all ages.

Help us, Oh God, to look for the best in everyone else and the blessings in all situations. It is our own vision of things that can distort what we see. When we look with gratitude we see the blessings. Let us live each day to the fullest, in awareness, being an example of love in action that others may be grateful they crossed our path, are our friend and are part of our family.

Let us enjoy each day that we have instead of always waiting for a better day to come. We cannot know what tomorrow brings but we can celebrate the gift of today. So many people waste their summers waiting for fall or their winter waiting for spring that the present is lost to them and the future may not be.

Help us be tolerant of the weather and see the beauty of a rainy day, make snow angels when the opportunity arises, take a dip in the summer warmth, notice the fall leaves and the spring flowers. Like life the seasons are cycles of birth and growth, of loss and change.

Explore all you can and in awareness see all the beauty of God's creation. Take time to be outdoors, even for a few minutes each day. God knew what He was doing when He created differences whether it be in the weather, the animals, or in us.

Angels too are not alike but individual, each one unique as are all things. How can we help our planet, each other, all life? Practice kindness in all that you do, not only to others, but to yourself as well. Remember that everything and everyone is the product of God's love.

We are all here for a purpose. Each wave that breaks is serving its purpose and each flower that blooms. We too are here not randomly but purposefully to serve God. Do it in joy and gratitude.

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