The Kat House

I am about halfway through Mitch Albom’s new book, Have a Little Faith. A nonfiction account of a series of conversations between Mitch and his rabbi, the book does an excellent job of showcasing the similarities between Judaism and Christianity. There is one particular quote that touched me and has stayed with me over the past few days.

“It is far more comforting to think that God listened and said no, than to think that nobody’s out there.”

Like most, I tend to say more prayers in my hour of need than in my moments of bliss. I should be singing praises of thanksgiving each and every day for the many blessings in my life. Instead, I have often found myself wondering just why God chose to ignore my requests – my pleas for that guy who would be so perfect for me if only he would wake up and realize it. I’ve found myself wondering why I’m lonely when everyone else seems to have found their perfect mates. I’m a fairly intelligent woman, yet this very simple and common sense truth dispensed by the rabbi Albert Lewis has taught me something far more important than dozens of college courses. God listened and said no.

When I was married, I asked God to turn my abusive husband into a loving man. He said no.

But when I asked to be delivered from the abuse, he said yes.

Years later, I asked God to help me move to another state to be closer to my boyfriend. He said no.

But when the same boyfriend dumped me, and I asked God to heal my heart, He said yes.

I think back to these two chapters of my life – and the final outcome of each. And I realize that the things I had asked for would have taken me down paths better left unexplored. When God said no, he spared me a lot of heartache.

God is now telling me no again. My first instinct is to disagree, to ask why, to plead with Him that this one thing will make me happy. After all, I’m a good person and I deserve happiness. But instead, I am choosing to back away. As difficult as it is, I am choosing to put my trust in Him, for He will say yes when the time and circumstances are right.

Thanks be to God!