God Said No

I asked God to take away my pride.

God said, No.

It is not for me to take away, but for you to give it up.

I asked God to make my handicapped child whole.

God said, No.

His spirit is whole; his body is only temporary.

I asked God to grant me patience.

God said, No.

Patience is a by product of tribulations; it isn't granted,

it is learned.

I asked God to give me happiness.

God said, No.

I give you blessings; happiness is up to you.

I asked God to spare me pain.

God said, No.

Suffering draws you apart from worldly cares and brings you closer to Me.

I asked God to make my spirit grow.

God said, No.

You must grow on your own but I will prune you to make you fruitful.

I asked God for all things that I might enjoy life.

God said, No.

I will give you life, so that you may enjoy all things.

I ask God to help me LOVE others, as much as He loves me.

God said...Ahhhh, finally you have the idea.

This poem reminds me of how God uses all things in my life to prune me. This, of course, includes the blessing of our children. As I mentioned before, through our children, I am learning to love more and I still have a long way to go. At church this weekend, God impressed on me how much I need to love people and be in relationship with them.

The blessings that He has given us is a simple way for us to share love with others.

In this world today, it is quite easy to fall into the trap of thinking only about yourself or even your immediate family, for that matter. I was gently reminded that God's greatest commandment is to love others just as He loves us...