I Asked for Strength...

I asked for strength and
God gave me difficulties to make me strong.

I asked for wisdom and
God gave me problems to solve.

I asked for prosperity and
God gave me brawn and brains to work.

I asked for courage and
God gave me dangers to overcome.

I asked for patience and
God placed me in situations where I was forced to wait.

I asked for love and
God gave me troubled people to help.

I asked for favors and
God gave me opportunities.

I received nothing I wanted
I received everything I needed.

My prayers have all been answered.

(Author Unknown)

The Oak Tree

A mighty wind blew night and day
It stole the oak tree's leaves away
Then snapped its boughs and pulled its bark
Until the oak was tired and stark

But still the oak tree held its ground
While other trees fell all around
The weary wind gave up and spoke.
How can you still be standing Oak?

The oak tree said, I know that you
Can break each branch of mine in two
Carry every leaf away
Shake my limbs, and make me sway

But I have roots stretched in the earth
Growing stronger since my birth
You'll never touch them, for you see
They are the deepest part of me

Until today, I wasn't sure
Of just how much I could endure
But now I've found, with thanks to you
I'm stronger than I ever knew

(Johnny Ray Ryder Jr)

Let Go and Let God

As children bring their broken toys, with tears for us to mend,

I brought my broken dreams to God, because He is my friend.

But then, instead of leaving Him,

in peace, to work alone

I hung around, and tried to help,

with ways that were my own.

At last, I snatched them back again,

and cried "How could you be so slow?".

"My child", he said "What could I do?

You never did let go".


(Lauretta Burns, 1957)