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 his spirit is whole: his body is only temporary.

I asked God to grant me patience, and God said, "NO."
He said that patience is a by-product of tribulation,
it is not granted, it is 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 faithful.

I asked God if he loved me, and God said, "YES."
He gave his only Son who died for me,
and I will be in heaven someday because I believe.

I asked God to help me love others as much as He loves me.
And God said, "Ahh, finally you have the right idea."