And God Said "No"

I asked God to take away my grief.
And God said, "No......
It is not for Me to take away,
But for you to work through."

I asked God to make my broken heart whole.
And God said, "No.....
Your Spirit is whole,
Your pain is only temporary."

I asked God to grant me patience.
And God said, "No.....
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.....
I give blessings,
Happiness is up to you."

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

I asked God to make my Spirit grow.
And God said, "No.....
Grow on your own,
I do the pruning that makes you fruitful."

I asked God if He loved me.
And God said, "Yes.....
I gave my only Son to die for you."

I asked God to help me love others
As much as he loves me.
He said, Ah, finally, you have the idea."

Derric Johnson