I was asking God to
take away my pride. God said no. He said that He won’t take my pride away; it’s
up to me to reject it.
I was asking God to
heal my daughter who was confined to bed. God said no. Her soul is safe and her
body will die anyway.
I was asking God to
grant me patience. God said no. Patience is born out of temptations. It isn’t
“granted”, it is earned.
I was asking God to
make me happy. God said no. He gave me a blessing and added that it’s up to me
to be happy or not.
I was asking God to
protect me from pain. God said no. Suffering turns an individual away from
earthly cares and leads one to God.
I was asking God to
grow my spirit. God said no. He said that spirit must grow on its own.
I was asking God to
teach me to love all people like He loves me. “Finally,” the Lord said, “you’ve
learned what you should be asking for.”
I was asking for
strength, and God sent me ordeals to make me stronger.
I was asking for wisdom, and God sent me puzzles to solve.
I was asking for
courage, and God sent me dangers.
I was asking for
love, and God sent me miserable people in need of my help.
I was asking for
good things, and God gave me opportunities.
I didn’t receive
any of the things that I was asking for. I received everything that I needed!
God heard my
prayers, indeed.
Translated by The Catalog of Good Deeds
CONVERSATION