August 24, 2008

joy of living

In this hour opportunity begins, a fresh chance to start again.

I don't want to waste the minutes and hours

That have been given to me.

I want to be alive to every experience,

In conversation, in moments of relaxation

I want to find joy in living.

Lord of life, help me.

Lord, help me to enjoy the common things of my everyday life.

I often find myself saying that nothing happened today,

But, in fact, the ordinary events of my life make a rich pattern,

But they're so familiar, I hardly notice them.

Things like cups of tea and coffee

Or the smile of the woman behind the shop counter,

The therapy of being lost in a good book or a radio play

Or my favourite music.

[Your glorious creation]

The days are rich in pleasing moments that I take for granted.

Lord of life,

help me to realise the joy of living.

Lord of life, when I come to the end of this day

Help me to remember the big problems

That turned out to be little ones

And the things I worried about that never happened.

Lord of laughter and joy,

Help me to experience and to treasure every good moment.

Lord of life, help me.

- Frank Topping