Faith combines knowledge and trust. One characteristic of faith is that it grows when we listen often and carefully to God’s Word, and enter a lively exchange with him through prayer. The more we enter God’s Word and come to know his promises, the more we trust in his plan for us.

God built each one of of us with skill and purpose. Though our gifts from God are free, He desires us! He wants a consistent two-way relationship. He wants to be part of our lives. How do we invite him into our lives? We do this through prayer.

Yes, spending an hour with him in Mass every Sunday saying our prayers is fulfilling our obligation. But it is not the lively exchange that God was hoping for when he created us. He wants to hear from us all throughout each of our days. He wants to be with us through all our joys and sorrows. God would like to be invited into our plans.

Here are some ways you can engage God daily and invite him to be a part of each day:

• First thing in the morning, tell God how you are feeling and what you have planned for the day.
• Ask him to help you make the day better for the people you encounter.
• Check in with him before you make important decisions and ask him to walk with you through the decisions.
• Let him be a companion to you rather than just asking him for help.
• Keep watch for little blessings all day.
• When your day is done, go over it with God. Ask for help with the challenges you faced.
• Listen for his response and accept praise for a job well done.

God knows it is a challenge everyday to be in this world yet not be part of it. We are to leave on impression on those living for the world by living out the Gospels through our actions and decisions, to be a person of ethics and integrity in a society that has in many ways forgotten the definition of these words. He does not expect us to do this alone.

We always feel better when we help others. As God’s children we are full of love. Using this gift leads to a very fulfilling life! When we spend time in service to others, even just listening to a story or opening a door we are rewarded with a joyful heart. We feel the flutter of God’s love when we live this kind of life.

As we strive to orient each day toward love and service, we will find a far greater measure of joy, fun, excitement that is more fulfilling than anything we could seek out on our own. Living a life as a servant of God is a happy and rewarding life because we are spreading love and peace.

And God wants to hear about it from us, even though He already knows it all! He sprinkles his blessings on us all day long in tiny ways that are all to often dismissed as luck or coincidence. So, when you find the great parking space, or it’s stops raining long enough to get the groceries in dry, or you take a quick look back and see your keys have fallen out of your pocket or your phone in the grass, high five God and thank him for being a part of your day!

For most of us, being a servant of God is not about quoting scriptures or spending hours on our knees. It is living in the joy of the Lord and sharing that joy and love with others. You are his good and faithful servant, and he is waiting to chat with you.

-- Michelle (click to send me a note)

Pray Well!!