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 more fruitful.

I asked God if He

loved me, and God said, YES!!!

He gave 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."