I asked God

A friend emailed me this from an unknown author and I wanted to share it with you because I really like it and a couple questions are questions that I have had for God and I find the answers frustrating, but raw and true.

I asked God

I asked God to take away my pain. God said, No. It is not for me to take away, but for you to give it up.

I asked God to make my handicapped child whole. God said, No. His spirit is whole, his body is only temporary.

I asked God to grant me patience. God said, No. Patience is a by-product of tribulations; it isn't granted, it is earned.

I asked God to give me happiness. God said, No. I give you blessings, happiness is up to you.

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

I asked God to make my spirit grow. God said, No. You must grow on your own, but I will prune you to make you fruitful.

I asked God for all things that I might enjoy life. God said, No. I will give you life so that you may enjoy all things.

I asked God to help me LOVE others as much as He loves me. God said..............Ahhh, finally! you have the idea.

I asked God to send me his friends...He sent you.

Thank you Emily for sharing this with me so I could share it with all my followers and hopefully shed some light on the kind of questions that I ask God everyday; like take away my pain, take away my suffering and help my spirit grow, give me patience, and these answers are not what I imagined. I like them. They somehow make me feel closer to God, and, as many of you know, I am having trouble with that.