I can see old Paul one night in his own hired house in Rome.
It is late, after a busy day; the seekers and disciples have all gone. He is sitting on an old bench, slowing down before seeking sleep.

One arm is around Luke, dear faithful Doctor Luke, and the other around young Timothy, not quite so young now. And with eyes that glisten, and utterance tremulous with emotion he is just saying:

"And dear old friends, do you know, I would not have missed this thorn, for the wondrous glory" - and his heart gets into his voice, there is a touch of the hoarseness of deep emotion, and a quavering of tone, so he waits a moment - "the wondrous glory-presence of Jesus that came with it."

And so out of the experience came a double blessing.
There was a much fuller working of God's plan for His poor befooled world. And there was an unspeakable nearness of intimacy with his Lord for Paul.

The man was answered and the petition denied that the larger plan of service might be carried out.