I Asked God

I love when the Internet provides an unexpected gem. I stumbled across this poem during one of my searches and I just love it. Without a doubt it speaks to me. It gives me a glimpse of God’s perfect love. There are times when it is easy to feel forgotten when our prayers are not answered the way we want them answered. This poem helps to remind me of the love that exists when God’s answer is “No”.

I Asked God

I asked God to take away my pride.
God said, "No. It is not for me to take away,
but for you to give it up."

I asked God to make my handicapped child whole.
God said, "No. Her spirit is whole,
her body is only temporary."

I asked God to grant me patience.
God said, "No. Patience is a by-product of tribulations;
it isn’t granted, it is earned."

I asked God to give me happiness.
God said, "No. I give you blessings,
happiness is up to you."

I asked God to spare me pain.
God said, "No. Suffering draws you apart
from worldly cares and brings you closer to me."

I asked God to make my spirit grow.
God said, "No. You must grow on your own,
but I will prune you to make you fruitful."

I asked God for all things that I might enjoy life.
God said, "No. I will give you life
so that you may enjoy all things."

I asked God to help me LOVE others,
as much as God loves me.

God said..."Ahhhh...
Finally you have the idea!"    

-Author unknown

Again, I must say, I simply love it! If for no other reason than I have so often prayed for those very things. And yet God says no because He loves me. He loves me so much that He wants me as close to Him as possible and He will not give me things that draw me away from Him and His plans for me.

Pride is what allows me to think that I deserve something better than the Father’s will. When I forget God has great plans for me I begin to complain that my earthly body is simply not good enough and I forget His eternal plan. I am drawn away from God when I clench my fists rather than open my hands to the grace and blessings He pours out. When I name certain things curses and trials I cut myself off from the loving embrace of my Heavenly Father. God gave me a free will and it is that free will that decides how much I will grow spiritually; how often I pick up my Bible, bow my head in prayer and open my eyes to God’s beautiful creation. Wanting and desiring things in hopes of having the good life blinds me to the incredible fact that God gave me life- and that is simply more than enough!

And as this poem reminds me, God, true to His Word, will help me to love others as God loves me; for to love in that manner is simply impossible for me to do alone. To love as God loves me requires me to be loving, forgiving and compassionate, to not see others faults or pass judgment and I must be willing to make myself vulnerable to be hurt again and again – just as Jesus did as He walked the earth. And I can only do that if I surrender and completely abide in Christ for He is the vine that sustains me – and to this God says, “Yes”.

I am the true vine, and my Father is the vinedresser. Every branch in me that does not bear fruit he takes away, and every branch that does bear fruit he prunes, that it may bear more fruit. Already you are clean because of the word that I have spoken to you. Abide in me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit by itself, unless it abides in the vine, neither can you, unless you abide in me. I am the vine; you are the branches. Whoever abides in me and I in him, he it is that bears much fruit, for apart from me you can do nothing.” (John 15:1-5)