When God says, No!

I asked God to take away my pride,
And God said, “No.”
He said it was not for Him to take away,
But for me to give up.

I asked God to make my handicapped child whole,
And God said, “No.”
He said her spirit is whole.
Her body is only temporary.

I asked God to grant me patience,
And God said, “No.”
He said patience is a by-product of tribulation.
It isn’t granted, it is learned.

I asked God to give me happiness,
And God said, “No.”
He said He gives blessings,
Happiness is up to me.

I asked God to spare me pain,
And God said, “No.”
He said, “Suffering draws you apart from
Worldly cares and brings you closer to me.”

I asked God to make my spirit grow,
And God said, “No.”
He said I must grow on my own,
But he will prune me to make it fruitful.

I asked God for all things that I might enjoy life,
And God said, “No.”
He said I will give you life,
so that you may enjoy all things.

I asked God if He loved me,
And God said, “Yes.”
He gave me His only son, who died for me.
And I will be in Heaven someday
because… I believe.

I asked God to help me love others
As much as He loves me,
And God said,
“Ah finally, you have the idea.”

-By Claudia Minden Welsz