Comments on: Living God’s will: what is God trying to tell me with this situation? http://www.conversiondiary.com/2007/05/living-gods-will-what-is-god-trying-to-tell-me-with-this-situation.html Sun, 12 Feb 2012 04:43:04 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.2.1 By: Melora http://www.conversiondiary.com/2007/05/living-gods-will-what-is-god-trying-to-tell-me-with-this-situation.html/comment-page-1#comment-2365 Melora Mon, 28 May 2007 16:44:00 +0000 http://gator1217.hostgator.com/~fulwiler/2007/05/living-gods-will-what-is-god-trying-to-tell-me-with-this-situation.html#comment-2365 Wow! Thank you for posting this. Steve G.'s advice seems excellent, and is what I needed to hear now.<br/>I often wonder when people say that God has led them to do various things what it is that they have that I don't. I pray and try to understand what God wants me to do, but I don't get that sort of clear directive from God, the sort that says "You should homeschool," or "You should quit your job." I do homeschool, and I did quit a good job in the town I had lived in for nearly forty years and moved the whole family to NC so I could continue to homeschool (the good job was taking up too much of my time), and I have no idea whether it was what God wanted me to do. A priest once said that God doesn't give us a huge spot light that shows us a clear road through our lives, but, rather, a lantern that lights where we Are, and we just move forward in faith, one step at a time. It made sense when he said it, anyway. Wow! Thank you for posting this. Steve G.’s advice seems excellent, and is what I needed to hear now.
I often wonder when people say that God has led them to do various things what it is that they have that I don’t. I pray and try to understand what God wants me to do, but I don’t get that sort of clear directive from God, the sort that says “You should homeschool,” or “You should quit your job.” I do homeschool, and I did quit a good job in the town I had lived in for nearly forty years and moved the whole family to NC so I could continue to homeschool (the good job was taking up too much of my time), and I have no idea whether it was what God wanted me to do. A priest once said that God doesn’t give us a huge spot light that shows us a clear road through our lives, but, rather, a lantern that lights where we Are, and we just move forward in faith, one step at a time. It made sense when he said it, anyway.

]]> By: Amber http://www.conversiondiary.com/2007/05/living-gods-will-what-is-god-trying-to-tell-me-with-this-situation.html/comment-page-1#comment-2359 Amber Sat, 26 May 2007 16:57:00 +0000 http://gator1217.hostgator.com/~fulwiler/2007/05/living-gods-will-what-is-god-trying-to-tell-me-with-this-situation.html#comment-2359 What a great discussion, thanks for posting it on the blog so we could all benefit from it. <br/><br/>The one thing I wanted to add is that in your example I think you fall prey to the common human fallacy of it is all about me and about what is particularly on my mind at the moment. I think SteveG addressed that in discussing how your example could instead be something to help out the tow truck driver - or maybe it could be a reminder to all those who drive past to get some scheduled maintenance done or who knows! <br/><br/>I think we can drive ourselves crazy by trying to figure out what each little event in our lives could be telling us about X. I think it could also lead us to a rather superstitious outlook, which obviously isn't healthy for our spiritual growth!<br/><br/>Anyways, great topic and great thoughts from your wonderful commenters, thank you! What a great discussion, thanks for posting it on the blog so we could all benefit from it.

The one thing I wanted to add is that in your example I think you fall prey to the common human fallacy of it is all about me and about what is particularly on my mind at the moment. I think SteveG addressed that in discussing how your example could instead be something to help out the tow truck driver – or maybe it could be a reminder to all those who drive past to get some scheduled maintenance done or who knows!

I think we can drive ourselves crazy by trying to figure out what each little event in our lives could be telling us about X. I think it could also lead us to a rather superstitious outlook, which obviously isn’t healthy for our spiritual growth!

Anyways, great topic and great thoughts from your wonderful commenters, thank you!

]]> By: SteveG http://www.conversiondiary.com/2007/05/living-gods-will-what-is-god-trying-to-tell-me-with-this-situation.html/comment-page-1#comment-2356 SteveG Fri, 25 May 2007 19:45:00 +0000 http://gator1217.hostgator.com/~fulwiler/2007/05/living-gods-will-what-is-god-trying-to-tell-me-with-this-situation.html#comment-2356 I am thrilled (as I am sure Jen is) that folks found this helpful.<br/><br/>Thanks Jen for posting it. Thanks All for the kind words. I am thrilled (as I am sure Jen is) that folks found this helpful.

Thanks Jen for posting it. Thanks All for the kind words.

]]> By: SteveK http://www.conversiondiary.com/2007/05/living-gods-will-what-is-god-trying-to-tell-me-with-this-situation.html/comment-page-1#comment-2355 SteveK Fri, 25 May 2007 19:19:00 +0000 http://gator1217.hostgator.com/~fulwiler/2007/05/living-gods-will-what-is-god-trying-to-tell-me-with-this-situation.html#comment-2355 Very good response SteveG. :)<br/><br/>Here's how I see it. God commands us to love him and love people. This is God's will for our lives. The details of how this gets carried out, for the most part, don't really matter.<br/><br/>I don't read tea leaves very well so I rarely find myself asking "what is God trying to tell me in this situation". God has already told me everything I need to know, and the good news is it applies to every situation. Very good response SteveG. :)

Here’s how I see it. God commands us to love him and love people. This is God’s will for our lives. The details of how this gets carried out, for the most part, don’t really matter.

I don’t read tea leaves very well so I rarely find myself asking “what is God trying to tell me in this situation”. God has already told me everything I need to know, and the good news is it applies to every situation.

]]> By: Sarah http://www.conversiondiary.com/2007/05/living-gods-will-what-is-god-trying-to-tell-me-with-this-situation.html/comment-page-1#comment-2354 Sarah Fri, 25 May 2007 19:04:00 +0000 http://gator1217.hostgator.com/~fulwiler/2007/05/living-gods-will-what-is-god-trying-to-tell-me-with-this-situation.html#comment-2354 What a timeless question and a beautifully eloquent reply. Thank you both! What a timeless question and a beautifully eloquent reply. Thank you both!

]]> By: Martin http://www.conversiondiary.com/2007/05/living-gods-will-what-is-god-trying-to-tell-me-with-this-situation.html/comment-page-1#comment-2353 Martin Fri, 25 May 2007 14:54:00 +0000 http://gator1217.hostgator.com/~fulwiler/2007/05/living-gods-will-what-is-god-trying-to-tell-me-with-this-situation.html#comment-2353 I always agree with the advice SteveG gives you. He's on the mark and usually all that I can add to his comments is "DITTO".<br/><br/>I can't offer advice one way or the other on homeschooling itself. We sent/send our children to our parish school and diocesan High School and have been happy with that decision. I always agree with the advice SteveG gives you. He’s on the mark and usually all that I can add to his comments is “DITTO”.

I can’t offer advice one way or the other on homeschooling itself. We sent/send our children to our parish school and diocesan High School and have been happy with that decision.

]]> By: Jay http://www.conversiondiary.com/2007/05/living-gods-will-what-is-god-trying-to-tell-me-with-this-situation.html/comment-page-1#comment-2352 Jay Fri, 25 May 2007 14:30:00 +0000 http://gator1217.hostgator.com/~fulwiler/2007/05/living-gods-will-what-is-god-trying-to-tell-me-with-this-situation.html#comment-2352 Seeking God's will in someone's life is to keep His Commandments, this is the base. Seeking God’s will in someone’s life is to keep His Commandments, this is the base.

]]> By: 4andcounting http://www.conversiondiary.com/2007/05/living-gods-will-what-is-god-trying-to-tell-me-with-this-situation.html/comment-page-1#comment-2351 4andcounting Fri, 25 May 2007 13:45:00 +0000 http://gator1217.hostgator.com/~fulwiler/2007/05/living-gods-will-what-is-god-trying-to-tell-me-with-this-situation.html#comment-2351 This has been a great discussion. This has been a great discussion.

]]> By: Tienne http://www.conversiondiary.com/2007/05/living-gods-will-what-is-god-trying-to-tell-me-with-this-situation.html/comment-page-1#comment-2350 Tienne Fri, 25 May 2007 03:13:00 +0000 http://gator1217.hostgator.com/~fulwiler/2007/05/living-gods-will-what-is-god-trying-to-tell-me-with-this-situation.html#comment-2350 This is why I love this blog. Every time you post, it's something that's directly related to an issue I'm struggling with. I firmly believe God is using your blog to teach me how to be a better Catholic, more knowledgeable about my faith and more trusting in God's presence and power in my life.<br/><br/>Thanks, Jen. You're saying exactly what I need to hear. I hope my spiritual journey takes me to a place where I can one day understand my faith well enough to defend it with the kind of wisdom and eloquence that Steve can. This is why I love this blog. Every time you post, it’s something that’s directly related to an issue I’m struggling with. I firmly believe God is using your blog to teach me how to be a better Catholic, more knowledgeable about my faith and more trusting in God’s presence and power in my life.

Thanks, Jen. You’re saying exactly what I need to hear. I hope my spiritual journey takes me to a place where I can one day understand my faith well enough to defend it with the kind of wisdom and eloquence that Steve can.

]]> By: Peter http://www.conversiondiary.com/2007/05/living-gods-will-what-is-god-trying-to-tell-me-with-this-situation.html/comment-page-1#comment-2349 Peter Fri, 25 May 2007 02:18:00 +0000 http://gator1217.hostgator.com/~fulwiler/2007/05/living-gods-will-what-is-god-trying-to-tell-me-with-this-situation.html#comment-2349 I loved this post, but I wonder if there isn't a fourth option somewhere between "God ordains this because ..." and "This is a random event." <br/><br/>The fourth option I spoke of might go along these lines. <br/><br/>4. "OK, the car broke down, possibly due to its age, general wear and tear or perhaps due to some neglect on my part. The lesson is to take better care of my car, and also, to give thanks to God that I even HAVE a car to begin with!<br/><br/>Oh, and I should pray that I am not so consumed with the 'poor me' reaction to an inconvenient situation that I miss the opportunity to shar God's truth and love with the tow truck guy.<br/><br/>How do I know it's God's will to share him with the tow truck guy? The same way the Good Samaritan knew it was God's will to tend to the wounds of the man left for dead. <br/><br/>Because he desperately needs it. I loved this post, but I wonder if there isn’t a fourth option somewhere between “God ordains this because …” and “This is a random event.”

The fourth option I spoke of might go along these lines.

4. “OK, the car broke down, possibly due to its age, general wear and tear or perhaps due to some neglect on my part. The lesson is to take better care of my car, and also, to give thanks to God that I even HAVE a car to begin with!

Oh, and I should pray that I am not so consumed with the ‘poor me’ reaction to an inconvenient situation that I miss the opportunity to shar God’s truth and love with the tow truck guy.

How do I know it’s God’s will to share him with the tow truck guy? The same way the Good Samaritan knew it was God’s will to tend to the wounds of the man left for dead.

Because he desperately needs it.

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