Dear Susan:

Journaling is a great way to examine oneself and to explore thoughts, feelings, and ideas. It is also good in working out problems, seeing things in perspective. Journaling also can be a form of prayer.

But, as for "listening for a response from God" we need to be careful. God may give us insights that stem from our Journaling, but a Journal is not like a phone call to and from God. It is very unlikely that God will give a person a specific message.

The illustration of this mistake is what your friend as done. To begin with one does not need to journal to know that God will take care of us. Just read the Sermon on the Mount in Matthew 5.

Frankly, if people would spend more time in Bible study and less time trying to "read" God in non-normal ways such as some false Charismatic gift, or in journaling, or whatever, they would be better off.

God has revealed to us the way He works in His Sacred Scripture and Sacred Tradition. That should always be our primary source in to understand the ways of God.

If we look in the Bible we will see that every miracle of God, except creation and the Resurrection of Christ, had the participation of a human being. For example, when God parted the Reed Sea Moses participated by offering the prayer and raising his staff.

There is a story told of a man who's wife was in the hospital. Medical debts were crushing, the kids needed clothes and supplies for school, etc.

So the man prayed to ask God to let him win the lottery just this one time because of the financial burdens his family was suffering under.

The lottery came. The lottery went. He did not win.

The man pleaded with God to let him win the lottery. He said to God, "You know I am not asking this out of greed. I need this to save my family."

The lotter came. The lottery went. He did not win.

The man was beside himself so worried that he could not provide for his family. He asked God why He did not let him win the lottery.

God answered.

"Son," God said, "you are a righteous man and I wish to grant you your prayer, but give me a break... at least buy a lottery ticket."

To presume God will do all for us is the sin of presumption and pride. God has all sorts of gifts He wishes to give to us, but we have to do our part.

This is like the famous story of the man who drowned in the flood. The water was rising, a rescue team came by the man's house to evacuate him. He refused because He said God will take care of him and save him from the flood.

The waters rose higher and higher. A man came by in a boat to rescue the guy, but the guy said no, that God would save him.

Finally, the waters rose so high that the man was standing on his roof. A helicopter came to rescue him. He refused saying that God would save him.

He drown in the flood waters.

At the Pearlie gates he asked God why He did not save him. God said, I sent you a car, a boat, and a helicopter but you refused them.

We may pray for God's assistance but then we must do our part of fulfill the need that we have.

If I ask God for a job and then sit on my coach potato and watch soap opera's all day, I will not likely find a job. And to expect God to send someone to knock on my door to hire my lazy bum is a sin of presumption upon God.

How can God direct your friend to a new house, it they are just sitting there exploiting the hospitality of friends. If I were their friend I would kick them out for their own good.

If we are a ship how can God give us a mid-course correction if we are sailing the wrong way? He can't if we are not moving. God can turn the rudder but the ship will not change course unless it is moving through the water.

You friend needs to give off their bum and start looking for a place to life. How dare they presume upon God to find them a place when they are not willing to even look!

God does not work this way. She is deluded by a false piety. What glorifies God is a child filled with such faith that they confidently go looking for a place to live in the sure knowledge that God will LEAD HER TO THE PLACE, not magically plop it into her lap like a lazy teenager.

Frankly, and I truly mean this, the friends ought to tell her that if she does not start looking for a place to live within 72 hours, that she will be kicked out into the street.

Maybe if she has to live in the street it will break her pride and she will start looking for lodging, and I bet pretty quickly.

Indulging her dysfunctional behavior does her no favors. St. Paul in the Bible teaches principles that says that there is a time for tough love and thus to kick em out into the street.

This friend may have to learn the hard way.

God Bless,
Bro. Ignatius Mary