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.