God Said No!

by Edited by Joyce Broyles

I asked God to take away my pride, but God said "No." He said it was not for Him to take away, but for me to give it up.

I asked God to make mv disabled child whole, and God said "No." He said her spirit is whole, and her body is only temporary.

I asked God to grant me patience, and God said, "No." He said pa­ tience is a by-product of tribulation. It isn't granted, it's earned.

I asked God give me happiness, and God said, "No." He said He gives blessings, but happiness is up to me.

I asked God to spare me pain, and God said "No" He said suffer­ing draws me away from worldly cares and brings me closer to Him.

I asked God to make my spirit grow, and God said, "No." He said I must grow on my own, but He would prune me to heIp me be more fruitful.

I asked God if He loved me, and God said, "Yes, I gave my Son for you. He died on a cross for you"

Then I asked God to help me love others as much as He loved me, and God said, "Ah, finally, you have the idea."

--edited by Joyce Broyles from an anonymous poem