What If God Doesn't Answer the Way You Want Him To?

Yesterday I wrestled with this question.  I prayed, we all did.  It's our impossible prayer but God didn't answer.  He didn't answer the way we want it answered.  Not yet anyway.  So what does that mean?
I have two choices.  I can turn away and say God must not really exist or I can persevere and keep at it and cling to the truths that I know from his word.
Is it ok to question?  I think so.  I think that is part of the relationship that we have with God.  He wants us to discuss matters with Him.

God set the groundwork for us as we sat in the waiting room.  Kids in wheelchairs rolling in...I whispered to Cali, "scoliosis doesn't seem so bad, huh?"  I felt blessed that my daughter could walk and only had scoliosis.
So then the doctor sees us.  Cali feels fine.  She doesn't have any pain or issues with her back.  Praise God for that.  She doesn't see it either and truthfully unless you study her, you don't notice.  But I do.  And she's my baby.  And I don't want there to be anything wrong with my babies.  Dr. Didelot asked Cali what she thought and she told him that she thought she was getting better.  He said, "well, actually it's getting worse."  Bummer!  Her curve went from 38 degrees to 48 degrees in 6 months.  If it continues to progress to around 55, then surgery will be likely and surgery for Cali means reduction in motion due to a wedged shaped vertebrae.  So likely, no more sports.  Crushing thought for us.
So, now what?  We sort through the thoughts and emotions and get re-focused on being intentional about praying about this.
Some of my thoughts were:
*This is scoliosis.  It's not life threatening.  BUT, when it's your child, when it's your trial, it doesn't matter what it is.  It's hard.  It's painful and it's trying....that's why it's called a trial.
*Why didn't God answer?  Maybe He just hasn't answered YET.  Or maybe this will be Cali's thorn...His grace is sufficient for her...His power is made perfect in her weakness.  Do I like it?  NO.  Do I have any control over it?  NO. 
*Why?  Why Cali?  I'll take this.  Brian said he'd take this.  Why my baby girl?  We live in a sin cursed world and that is why we have all of the "yuck".  I don't know why Cali.  I'm not God but I do know that we are promised that there will be a day with no more tears, no more pain and no more fears.
*Often when someone is in a trial and can't seem to overcome, no matter what the trial is, I ask, "what is your relationship with God like?"  So I had to ask myself that question, and Cali...
Yesterday as we were driving home, I was praying for the perfect song to come on KLove.  Laura Story's Blessings came on.
'Cause what if your blessings come through raindrops
What if Your healing comes through tears
What if a thousand sleepless nights are what it takes to know You're near
What if trials of this life are Your mercies in disguise
Sometimes God doesn't answer our prayers the way WE want them answered.  For sure He knows what is best for us.
For just as the heavens are higher than the earth,so my ways are higher than your ways and my thoughts higher than your thoughts. Isaiah 55:9
And of course the usual comforting scriptures came to mind:
Consider it pure joy, my brothers, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith develops perseverance. Perseverance must finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything. James 1:2-4
And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose. For those God foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the likeness of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brothers. Romans 8:28-29
Not only so, but we also rejoice in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; perseverance, character; and character, hope. Romans 5:3-4

Basically, we just need to persevere in prayer and keep the faith that God is going to do great things with Cali.  I don't know what or how or when but His timing is perfect.  It may not be the way I want or when I want or how I want but I will trust in the God who grants me peace and comfort and understanding.  I will trust in knowing that He hears my prayers and that He knows my baby girl's every need.