I asked for strength that I might achieve;
I was made weak that I might learn humbly to obey.
I asked for health that I might do greater things;
I was given infirmity that I might do better things.
I asked for riches that I might be happy;
I was given poverty that I might be wise.
I asked for power that I might have the praise of men;
I was given weakness that I might feel the need of God.
I asked for all things that I might enjoy life;
I was given life that I might enjoy all things.
I got nothing that I asked for
but everything that I had hoped for.
Almost despite myself my unspoken prayers were answered,
I am, among all men, most richly blessed.
We should all take a lesson! Bless you.
According to the editor of Time Magazine, Presidential Candidate Adlai Stevenson, whose Christmas card bore the prayer, got it from a book called Think on These Things by the Rev. Dr. John Ellis Large (rector of Manhattan’s Episcopal Church of the Heavenly Rest), who, in turn, had clipped and saved the original from a newspaper some 25 years ago when he was a student at Hartford’s Trinity College.
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You shared this some time ago and I printed it out and it’s on my bathroom wall. I read it every time I shower. Love it. Also LOVE the picture of you and Char on your about me site. So sweet!