The Difference

I got up early one morning
and rushed right into the day
I had so much to accomplish
that I didn't have time to pray.

Problems just tumbled about me,
and heavier came each task.
Why doesn't God help me?" I wondered
He answered, "You didn't ask."

I wanted to see joy and beauty,
but the day toiled on, gray and bleak;
I wondered why God didn't show me.
He said, "But you didn't seek."

I tried to come into God's presence;
I used all my keys at the lock.
God gently and lovingly chided,
"My child, you didn't knock."

I woke up early this morning,
and paused before entering the day;
I had so much to accomplish
that I had to take time to pray.

by Grace L. Naessens, Used by Permission

Author's Note: "The story of how the poem found its way into public domain is that my son, Chris, took it to school for a poetry class and from that time on it seem to spread like wild fire. My son attended a Catholic school at that time and one of the Sisters put it into the bulletin.  What a surprise for me as I did not even realize it had ever left my house."