I asked God to take away my pride,

And God said, “No.”

He said, “It is not for me to take away

But for you to give up.”

I asked God to make my disabled 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, “I give blessings.

Happiness is up to you.

I asked God to spare me pain,

And God said, “No.”

He said, “Suffering draws you away from worldly cares

and brings you closer to me.”

I asked God to make my spirit grow,

And God said, “No.

He said, “You must grow on your own,

but I will prune you to make you fruitful.”

I asked God if He loved me,

And God said, “Yes.”

I gave my only Son to die for you

and you will be in heaven with me someday

because you believe.”

I asked God to help me love others

as much as He loves me.

And God said,

“Ah, finally, you have the idea.”

The above was given to me as a gift without a signature of who wrote it. It not my writing, but it rings true for me. I hope it blesses you too.