"Judge a man by his questions rather than by his answers." - VoltairE

Thank You for Saying No

Posted by Anne Witton on Wednesday, September 6, 2023 Under: Random stuff


I recently came across this poem by Ruth Harms Calkin and thought it was really profound.

Thank You for Saying No

Lord, day after day I've thanked You
For saying yes.

But when have I genuinely thanked You
For saying no?

Yet I shudder to think
Of the possible smears
The cumulative blots on my life
Had You not been sufficiently wise
To say an unalterable no.

So thank You for saying no
When my want list for things
Far exceeded my longing for You.
When I asked for a stone
Foolishly certain I asked for bread
Thank You for saying no

To my petulant "Just this time, Lord?”
Thank You for saying no
To senseless excuses
Selfish motives
Dangerous diversions.

Thank You for saying no
When the temptation that enticed me
Would have bound me beyond escape.

Thank You for saying no
When I asked You to leave me alone.

Above all
Thank You for saying no
When in anguish I asked
"If I give You all else
May I keep this?"

Lord, my awe increases
When I see the wisdom
Of Your divine no.

(Ruth Harms Calkin, from 'Tell Me Again Lord, I Forget')

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