God… with a big I and my Rose

Sometimes, things aren’t always what they seem. Some call it ‘the irony of life,’ though it may be known by other names. It is indeed fascinating to note that what we see is often not what it is – or the true nature of a thing. There are reams and volumes galore of books written upon such the subject, which touches upon art, science, philosophy and religion.

Recently, having been blessed by reading an old prayer that indeed succinctly expressed the irony of life through faith, I had decided to share it with a dear friend.

Following is his response, then the prayer:

I think I first encountered this prayer while working in a Bible bookstore in my early adulthood. It’s probably one of the contributing factors in my sense of the ironic that I tend to see in God‘s relations with the world. Of course, the last line is the crescendo of the whole prayer, as it really establishes a sense of how God responds to our prayers beyond the specifics of our words, and gets right to the heart of the matter,  “I got nothing that I asked for, but everything that I had hoped for. Almost despite myself, my unspoken prayers were answered. I am among all men, most richly blessed.” Even within this last line I particularly like, ” Almost despite myself, my unspoken prayers were answered.” I have to say that I certainly hope that God is working good in my life despite myself, and I  can testify that he has.

I asked for strength

“I asked for strength, that I might achieve; He made me weak that I might learn humbly to obey.

“I asked for health, that I might do greater things; I was given infirmity, that I might do better things.

“I asked for riches, that I might be happy; I was given poverty, that I might be wise.

“I asked for power, that I might have the praise of men; I was given weakness that I might feel the need of God.

“I asked for all things, that I might enjoy life; I was given life, that I may enjoy all things.

“I got nothing that I asked for, but everything that I had hoped for. Almost despite myself, my unspoken prayers were answered. I am, among all men, most richly blessed.”

***
This was found on the body of an unknown soldier of the Confederate Army, Killed at the Battle of Gettysburg in the American Civil War.