For Patience

Dear Father,
Today I desperately need patience. These boys are about to do me in. As they ran amok this morning, leaving Cheerios and play-dough in their wake, I counted down the minutes to their nap, barking commands at them all the while. Finally the clock hit the blessed time and whoosh, into bed they were plopped. But alas, neither of them slept, and I spent over an hour begging, cajoling, and threatening them to sleep. No such luck. It is now time to allow them to get up from their non-nap, so I just beg you, Father, to give me the most patience you can muster, because I sooooooo desperately need it. Fill my mouth with kind words, loving thoughts, and when I do need to discipline them, help me to do it out of love, rather than wrath. 
Amen