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 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.”

- Claudia Minden Welsz