I asked GOD to take away my pride
              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 and her body is
                                Only temporary."

                            ******************

                  I asked GOD to grant me patience
                            And God said, "No."
       He said that patience is a bi-product of tribulation
                      It isn't granted, it's earned.

                           ******************

                I asked GOD to give me happiness
                          And God said, "No."
                    He gives me only 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;
        He will prune me and help me to become fruitful.

                            ******************

                     I asked GOD if He loved me
 And GOD said, "Yes, my child, more than you can know,"
                 He said He gave me His only Son
                              Who died for me.

                          ******************

               I asked GOD to help me love others
                        As much as He loves me,
      And GOD said, "FINALLY YOU HAVE THE IDEA!"
 
 

                                                                              By Claudia Minden Welsz