Unexpected Answers

I asked the Lord for a bunch of fresh flowers
but instead he gave me an ugly cactus with many thorns.

I asked the Lord for some beautiful butterflies
but instead he gave me many ugly and dreadful worms.

I was threatened, I was disappointed, I mourned.

But after many days, suddenly,
I saw the cactus bloom with many flowers,
and those worms became beautiful butterflies
flying in the spring wind.

God's way is the best way.


prayer written from prison by Chun-Ming Kao
from The Doubleday Prayer Collection