shwango! blog

This is a fitting post for Thanksgiving. Some of you may know I’ve recently taken an active role in my spiritual life – with a particular emphasis on Christianity. In doing so, I found the following very meaningful and have sent it out to several friends who have been especially helpful along the way… Now I wish to share it with all my readers – all two of you!

There was a sampled speech of this prayer in a song I downloaded (Spylab, “Facade”) and had to look up its origins:

These are the words that were found on a piece of paper in the pocket of a Confederate soldier over a hundred years ago…

Most Richly Blessed

I asked God for strength, that I might achieve,
I was made weak, that I might learn humbly to obey.
I asked for health, that I might do greater things,
I was given infirmity, that I might do better things.
I asked for riches, that I might be happy,
I was given poverty, that I might be wise.
I asked for power, that I might have the praise of men,
I was given weakness, that I might feel the need of God.
I asked for all things, that I might enjoy life,
I was given life, that I might enjoy all things.
I got nothing I asked for — but everything I had hoped for.
Almost despite myself, my unspoken prayers were answered.
I am, among all men, most richly blessed.

-Anonymous Soldier, American Civil War

I found many sites referring to this prayer. One, in particular was kind of cool: “As Through a Glass, Darkly”

My favorite lines are:

I asked for all things, that I might enjoy life,
I was given life, that I might enjoy all things.

They have become something of a motto for me.

Happy Thanksgiving!