Take the Time to be Thankful

Let me share this passage, one of my favorites from the book Esther: A Woman of Strength and Dignity by Charles R. Swindoll.

(Ben Patterson in his excellent book Waiting: Finding Hope When God Seems silent) wrote: There is a lovely poem which speaks to this wonderfully. It was reputedly written by a young soldier who received massive and permanently debilitating injuries in the Civil War. He lived as a cripple the rest of his days, wrestling and waiting for God to show His face, His purpose in it all. At the end of his strugglings, he wrote this:

I asked for strength that I might achieve;

I was made weak that I might 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 have received nothing I asked for, all that I hoped for.

My prayer is answered.