Beautiful Prayer

"Do all the good you can,
By all the means you can,
In all the ways you can,
In all the places you can,
At all the times you can,
To all the people you can,
As long as ever you can."

 - John Wesley 

 I asked God to take away my habit.

 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 learned.

 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 ... Ah, finally you have the idea.

THE CROSS

A young man was at the end of his rope, seeing no way out, he dropped to his knees in prayer

  "Lord, I can't go on," he said. "I have too heavy a cross to bear."

 The Lord replied, "My son, if you can't bear its weight, just place your cross inside this room.

  Then, open that other door and pick out any cross you wish."

  The man was filled with relief and said, "Thank you Lord," and he did as he was told.

 Upon entering the other room, he saw many crosses; some so large the tops were not visible. Then, he spotted a tiny cross leaning against a far wall.

 "I'd like that one, Lord," he whispered. The Lord replied, "My son; that is the cross you just brought in."

 When life's problems seem overwhelming, it helps to look around and see what other people are coping with. You may consider yourself far more fortunate than you imagined.