Prayer for grandmothers

Father, Your Word says do not grieve the Holy Spirit. Not drive Him away. Grieve Him. Make Him sad. Lord, the things that grieve Him in me at this age are not the big scandals. They are the small recurring ones. The sharp tone with my daughter on the phone. The slow gossip about the choir director I have let go on for months. The bitter wedge about my son's wife I have not really given to You. None of them is a scandal. But each one grieves the Spirit who has been my companion for so many years. Lord, the Spirit is patient. He grieves but He does not leave. I do not have to live in fear of being abandoned. But I do have to take the grieving seriously. Today let me name one small thing I have been doing that saddens Him. Then let me turn from it. Not promise grandly to never do it again. Just turn from it in this hour. The Spirit knows what to do with a small honest turning. Walk me into this week gentler with the One who has walked with me so long. Make Him glad instead of sad in me today. Amen.