Quiet

After a week's worth of what felt like idle talk, with mothers, with my husband, with my own children, with Greek children, I am feeling quiet today and thinking of the prayer of St. Ephrem.

O Lord and Master of my life,
take from me the spirit of sloth, despair, 
lust of power and idle talk;


But give rather the spirit of chastity, humility, 
patience and love to thy servant.


Yea, Lord and King, grant me to see my own faults,
and not to judge my brother;
for blessed art Thou unto the ages of ages.
Amen.


-St. Ephrem the Syrian, 4th century