July 5, 2009
Fourteenth Sunday in Ordinary Time

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 “her spirit is whole, her body is only temporary.”

I asked God to grant me patience, and God said “No.”
He said that “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 me
fruitful.”

I asked God if He loved me, and God said “Yes.”
He gave me His only Son Who died for me, and I will be in heaven some day because I believe.

I asked God to help me love others, as much as He loves me, and God said “Ah, finally, you have the idea.”