In July 2000, I posted this reader submission:
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.
Her spirit was whole, her body was 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 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… Ahhhh, finally you have the idea.
Yesterday I scheduled my torn rotator cuff surgery for April 6. The doctor told me to prepare myself for a very, very, very, very painful recovery. I smiled and thanked him for sugarcoating it. Reading from one of the phrases above, (I asked God to spare me pain. God said, No. Suffering draws you apart from worldly cares and brings you closer to me), made me think it is inappropriate to ask that I be spared the pain of this surgery and recovery. I would much prefer drawing closer to God and focusing on loving others than be spared some pain.
Romans 13:8
Owe no one anything except to
love one another, for he who loves
another has fulfilled the law.
For the commandments, “you
shall not commit adultery,” “You
shall not murder,” “You shall not steal,”
“you shall not bear false witness,”
“you shall not covet,” and if
there is any other commandment,
are all summed up in this saying,
namely, “You shall love your
neighbor as yourself.”
Love does no harm to a neighbor;
therefore love is the fulfillment of the law.
Have a great weekend and go to church Sunday!