on what we want and what we are given
Dear all, I saw this lovely poem on the 4.30pm class’s blog (thanks Liz!) and thought that it’d be nice to share it with you guys:
I asked God for strength that I might achieve.
I was made weak that I might learn humbly to obey.
I asked for health that I might do greater things.
I was given infirmity that I might do better things.
I asked for riches that I might be happy.
I was given poverty that I might be wise.
I asked for power that I might have the praise of men.
I was given weakness that I might feel the need of God.
I asked for all things that I might enjoy life.
I was given life that I might enjoy all things.
I got nothing that I asked for,
but everything I hoped for.
Almost despite myself,
my unspoken prayers were answered.
I am, among all men, most richly blessed.
We may spend 1.5 hours with each other every week, but each of us treads our own path in life. Our experiences are different, our relationships with God are different, and our requests are different. But one thing all of us share in common is this: At some point in time, we’ve probably felt that God isn’t really listening to what we ask for. If He loves us so much, and we want something so badly, why don’t we get it? Does He even hear us?
This poem has expressed, in the simplest words, what goes on when something like that happens. Indeed, God doesn’t necessarily give us what we want for ourselves, but He certainly gives us what we need. Looking back, many of my requests have gone unanswered, but He has given me far more than what I’ve asked for. A manifold of blessings that I don’t deserve and couldn’t even imagine for myself. Oftentimes, some quiet time spent with Him reflecting on my life was all it took to realize this.
Spend some time with God this week, and I pray that you come to realize the workings of His loving grace in your life. 
- Stephanie
