AND GOD SAID NO

by Claudia Mendenleis

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 that 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 the world of 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, that he will prune me and make me fruitful.

I asked God to help me love others as much as he loves me, and God
said, "Ahhhh....., finally you have the idea."