We all know that line from “The Lord’s Prayer”. “Thy will be done, on earth as it is in Heaven.” How do we know what God’s will is? We often hear that instead of asking God what he can do for us, we should ask Him what we could do for Him, what is His will, what does He want from us. But how do we know?

“Everything happens for a reason”, “God has a plan for all of us”, these are other things we hear but we are never told what the plan or the reason is. How do we discern what God wants us to do? We pray, but nothing seems to happen, nothing seems to change, we never receive a sign telling us what we should be doing. Or do we?

Do we get “signs” from God and just don’t realize it? Do we take the time to listen when He speaks? The last couple of weeks have been tough here at the little house on the lake. I still haven’t found a new job, my better half was out of work for a month, we’re behind on all of or bills, my insurance company made me change my meds for my fibromyalgia and they aren’t working and we appear to be in a winter that just refuses to end. Needless to say I am more than just a little depressed. Is this part of God’s plan for me – to make me suffer? What did I ever do? Wait, it’s best I don’t go there.

Then I realize a few things. First, I am still here and that’s a plus. I also realize that losing my job was really God’s way of telling me maybe it was time for me to stop working 14 hours a day, driving 700 miles and constantly being in pain from the lifting I did every day. I also have more time to write, something I always have wanted to do although right now it isn’t paying the bills. And despite the problem with the med change, most of me feels better, at least I can stand up straight again. I also realize the fibromyalgia was impairing my driving somewhat (combined with the long hours and lifting), so maybe God was giving me a sign.

We might not always know what God wants from us, we might not always know what He is trying to tell us, but you can bet He is there. We only need to listen.

Pray then like this:

Our Father who art in heaven, Hallowed be thy name. Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done, On earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread;  And forgive us our debts, As we also have forgiven our debtors; 13 And lead us not into temptation, But deliver us from evil.  For if you forgive men their trespasses, your heavenly Father also will forgive you; but if you do not forgive men their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses. – Matthew 6: 9 – 14

Growing in Faith: A Bible Study Guide for Catholics Including Reflections on Faith by Pope Francis

You Can Understand The Bible: A Practical And Illuminating Guide To Each Book In The Bible

The Gospel According to Matthew (2nd Ed.) (The Ignatius Catholic Study Bible)