And God Said No

By Claudia Minden Weisz

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 by-product 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."