I was doing some basic organizing at work and came across a long-forgotten poem from 1996 that I had cut out of the newspaper and stored away. Do you remember Ann Landers? She had printed a poem that was sent in by a reader. Reading it over again after so many years I remembered why I kept it in the first place.

And God Said No

By Claudia Minden Weisz

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 byproduct of tribulation.

It isn’t granted, it’s 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 to help me love others as much as He loves me,

And God said, “Ah, finally, you have the idea.”