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 was whole, her body was only temporary. I asked God to grant me patience. And God said “No”.
He said patience is a by-product of tribulations. It isn’t granted, it is earned. I asked God to give me happiness. And God said “No”.
He said He gives me blessings, happiness is up to me. I asked God to spare me pain. And God said “No”.
He said suffering draws me apart from worldly cares and brings me closer to Him. 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 for all things that I might enjoy life. And God said “No”.
He said He will give me life, that I may enjoy all things. I ask God to help me love others, as much as he loves me.
And God said “Ah, finally you have the idea!”



"To the world you might be one person,
but to one person you just might be the world"

AA