And God Said, "No"


					
                                    by Claudia Minden Welsz


                                  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, 
                                   While 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 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 it fruitful. 

                                     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."