Be Careful What You Pray For

Dear Lord, I am writing you to thank you for my pain. You see, I now remember way back when I was just a little boy, I sat at the end of my bed and I prayed with hands folded together. I remember saying to you that I wanted to be a teacher. I asked that you would give me the talents to teach others. I always knew that you would do as I asked, but for so many years I have been blaming you for not answering my prayers. But now, I finally understand.

What I understand today is that in order for me to teach anything to anyone, I must first go through it myself. What a tough lesson to learn, I mean, this has not been easy. I can remember screaming at you from within and asking why? Why me? Why have you picked me to go through this pain in my life? But now I understand that I was chosen and that you handpicked me, so I could share my story with others.

I guess it is true, that when we ask, we shall receive. You never said that it would be gift wrapped or come in the form of a parade or a big celebration. You just promised that in the end, I would receive what I had asked for. I am so thankful for the lessons you have taught me and for the trials I have been through. There were many times when I felt I was not going to make it, but you always showed up and guided me through, until the end.

My life has not been simple or without complication. In fact, there are some parts of my life and past mistakes that are on display for the whole world to see. I am blessed to say to you this day, that I now understand the why. I am not going to question your hand as you continue to guide me any longer. I will stop placing a question mark, where you have placed a period. I understand that such large and loud pain can only be for the select few of your children and that I have been chosen to accept this pain and understand that I have a responsibility to teach from this.

In closing Lord, I just want to say that all of your promises that you made to me on that spring day four years ago have come to pass. I know that you keep telling me that there are so many more blessings on the way. Hard for me to believe that you have so much more planned for my life. No matter how hard life seems to get, I now understand that it is all part of the journey. It is my acceptance of this pain that allows me to help and heal others. This is a choice that I make within, each and every day.

Thank You!

B. Patrick Lewis, is a trained Chef, Author and Speaker. Check out his new book "In the Weeds" and other articles at http://choicewithin.com