Thank You Father, Even For The No’s

Father, I thank you.

I thank you for all the times I prayed so hard for something that I just knew I needed, only for you to say no.

It was only in hindsight that I saw how wrong I had been, how catastrophic it would have been if you had said yes.

“And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.” Romans 8:28

I thank you for the times I headed down a beautiful and easy path, sure it was your path, only for you to jerk me over onto a dark, nasty path full of thorns and deep holes.

Those dark roads taught me more than a beautiful path ever could.

“Enter through the narrow gate. For wide is the gate and broad is the road that leads to destruction, and many enter through it. But small is the gate and narrow the road that leads to life, and only a few find it.” Matthew 7:13-14

Father, thank you for the times I felt unheard and bereft, sure that you had abandoned me.

Only in the stillness did I stop long enough to listen.

“The Lord himself goes before you and will be with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged.” Deuteronomy 31:8

I thank you for the times my body gave out and you didn’t heal me.

The healing came in your time and looked different than I had imagined, but it taught me more than any complete and immediate healing ever could.

”A woman in the crowd had suffered for twelve years with constant bleeding, and she could find no cure. Coming up behind Jesus, she touched the fringe of his robe. Immediately, the bleeding stopped.” Luke 8:43-48

I thank you for all the pain and suffering I have experienced in my life.

That taught me empathy in a way nothing else could have.

“Finally, all of you, be like-minded, be sympathetic, love one another, be compassionate and humble.” 1 Peter 3:8

I thank you for the difficult people you placed in my life.

They taught me patience and grace.

“Bear with each other and forgive one another if any of you has a grievance against someone. Forgive as the Lord forgave you.” Colossians 3:13

I thank you for all the things you are still teaching me, in ways I wouldn’t have chosen for myself. I would have always chosen the quick and easy path. What a miserable wretch I would be if I had been in charge of prayers answered.

The fact that you think I am worth refining fills me with awe. I am humbled by the fact that you still believe I can learn and grow.

In this season of thankfulness, I thank you for all the “No” answers from you, for they were actually the very best “Yes” answers in the end.