Fools

Oh Lord, what fools we be!
We go along life's highway
Believing our own strength
Sufficient to any task
That might confront us,
When only you can give
To each of us the strength
To bear the load
That has been given us.

Oh Lord, What fools we be!
We try to make ourselves
The highest and best
Of our little worlds
When only service, lowly service
To our fellow beings and you
Can make us better
Than what we are.

Oh lord, what fools we be!
We deny to others the right
To live as we do,
Forcing them to live
Where we would not,
When they are our brethren,
Your children,
Whoever they may be.

Oh Lord, what fools we be!
For we put ourselves
Ahead of you and your kingdom.
We try to pretend
That you do not exist
And measure ourselves by our own standards
When you are there, before us
Measuring us and weighing our faults.

Keep us, Lord, From the foolishness
That says, "I am God
Of this little bit of world."
And forgets that ALL people
Are your children
And as such
Have the same rights as we.
Keep us, Lord, from being fools.
           written late 1960's