God Said No

[Kerry Stephenson]

List Folk:
I recently recieved a newsletter from an evangelist friend of mine. In
it was this anonymous poem he received in the offering basket during a
service. I thought I would share it:

AND GOD SAID, "NO!"
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, "His spirit is whole; his 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's not granted; it's earned.
I asked God to give me happiness, and God said, "No." He said He gives
me 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 if He loved me, and God said, "Yes." He gave His only son
to die for me and someday I will be with Him because I believe and obey
His word.
I asked God to help me love others like He loves me, and God said,
"Finally, you have the idea."

Love INC,
--Kerry

[JRA...@trinity.edu]

Kerry, I also have that poem -- clipped out of a newspaper and put in
my journal. So often we ask God to do what *we* want and when He
says that it's up to us to make the changes in attitude or behavior
first before He can work in our lives, we throw up our hands and say
that God hasn't answered our prayers.
Thanks for sharing that article.

I will also keep you and your situation in my prayers.

JoEllen Ralls Jralls@trinity (Bitnet)
Trinity University Maddux Library so many books,
San Antonio, Texas so little time...