When No’s are a Good Thing

God doesn’t always do what we want Him to do. In fact, He often says, “No.” That’s because, so often, we ask God to do for us what we must do for ourselves. This wonderful poem shows how God will guide us and help us to be more like Him… but we need to do the heavy lifting ourselves!

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 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 to help me love others

As much as He loves me,

And God said,

“Ah finally, you have the idea.”

– Claudia Minden Welsz