"And God Said 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 byproduct of tribulation, it isn't granted, it's earned.

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 me fruitful.

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 Mindem Weisz

"And God Said No"