When the day (or even the hour or minute) is particularly hectic and I am at my wits end, I repeat a few little words that bring back a sense of calm: God, give me the grace for this day. It is the first line Marjorie Holmes’s prayer Just for Today. Those few little words are my form of meditation. They remind me that the moment is temporary. Whether the kids or screaming or I am crashing on deadline, it helps. Here’s the poem, in case it helps you, too!

Just for Today

Oh, God, give me grace for this day.
Not for a lifetime, nor for next week, not for tomorrow, just for this day.
Direct my thoughts and bless them,
Direct my work and bless it.
Direct the things I say and give them blessing, too.
Direct and bless everything that I think and speak and do.
So that for this one day, just this one day, I have the gift of grace that comes from your presence.

Photo by J-Stuart courtesy of Stock Exchange.