A new year filled with expectations and hopes, started with resolutions, great and small, which we hope will bring about a better year than the last. We desire that all our hopes and dreams will come true in 1999.

Since God is, too often, viewed as being gentle and kind - a cosmic pushover of sorts - we think by simply fulfilling our holy obligations, God will do everything in His power to ensure our happiness.

Perhaps the following e-mail forwarded to me by my son, Gregory will cause you to stop and reconsider what you want in 1999.

I asked God to take away my pride.

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 the 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 be 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....Ahhh, finally you have the idea!

God has given you a New Year, what are you going to make of it?

Have a great day!

In Jesus' name, Amen.

Pass this on to a friend.

Thought for the Week
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