WHEN I ASK, MY LORD   Lord, today my pain is great,   I don't ask You to take it away.   I ask You, rather, Dear Lord,   teach me to live with it for today.   And Lord, should my grief be great,   I won't ask that You restore my loss.   I will ask You, rather, Dear Lord,   teach me a way to bear that cross.   Lord, today, my want is great,   I don't ask that You give me all.   I ask You, rather, Dear Lord,   teach me to see my needs are small. And Lord, should my despair be great,   I won't ask that You lift me high.   I will ask You, rather, Dear Lord,   teach me that hope is always near by.           copyright 2001 by Roland Ricker