My Prayer
by Katherine McKersie
I am running to assist a flustered child, who cannot suddenly "see" their teacher on her screen, and I pray; "Dear Lord, grant me the patience to simultaneously calm her down and solve a technical computer problem for which I have no previous training, Amen."
Breaking up the third, fourth or fifth argument between my girls of vastly different ages I pray, "Lord, grant me the wisdom to accept the things I cannot change, change the things I cannot accept, and the wisdom to know the difference. Also, if you could get my mobile phone to stop buzzing incessantly right now that would be great! Amen."
Dashing to pick up class fund contributions from harried parents who don't have Venmo, running to the phone to listen to my husband having a bad day, or my Dad, angry and short-tempered due to his fall, or my brother who shares the news of our childhood friends' parent who died yesterday of this horrible disease I pray, "Lord, help me to listen to all who need me. I am grateful they need me, in this hour of need for so many, Amen."
Finally taking a moment to put on makeup and style my hair I hear the insistent knocking, some call pounding, on the bathroom door. I sigh and then I pray. This time to Mary, who I feel will particularly hear me, as only a Mother can." Hail, Mary, full of grace..." Holy Mary, help me to remember that this moment is important, too, for I am teaching them to wait patiently, with my patient response. Amen."
Standing next to the counter, finally having a moment to prepare a tiny little section for our special Christmas dessert, I start to feel regretful for not having gotten to my prayers for the Advent retreat that day. As I start to pray that prayer, I remember long ago when I became a mother, a wise and special person told me that all of your life is a prayer. That many monks and sisters and brothers pray as they work, and that I can, too. It is necessary right now for me to work, and I have many extra duties. Things take longer and are more involved than ever. It is a time of pandemic, after all. That is most especially true for me now, and as I slowly and tediously cut tiny mint leaves and candy them, a task that will mean something special when it is completed, I thought, "Lord, I am so grateful for this reminder. No, I did not sit in a chair, or next to a chair today for twenty minutes. I am so glad that some did, and can. That is so important. But, I did pray, and I did feel close to you, and you were right beside me the whole time. Thank you for allowing me this chance to help others who need me, and for reminding that this is a prayer, also. When I can, I will sit and pray. But when I cannot sit, I will still be praying. Amen."
This is all good. It is all necessary and important. It is worthy and good, and it is true for where things are.
My prayer is for all of you to know that, also. Amen.
