Seeing God in everything.... Too much?

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Was talking to an evangelical friend today and he was swamped with homework and stressed and about a group project. He found out that someone else in his group did a piece of the assignment he was going to and was thankful, “That God really came through for him” when his partner did that share of the work. To me, that seems like an evangelical/Protestant tendency to see God in absolutely everything , like God is responsible for the teacher cancelling class that morning. My inward response was just, “Or maybe your friend just did that work, and God doesn’t really care about your group assignment that much? Maybe it was even his will that you be challenged and have to do all this work?” Or maybe I am just not trusting God enough with those small everyday matters in my own life? Not sure what my question is exactly… What are your thoughts? (Cross posted in general, I think this category is more appropriate)
 
How about you leave your friend alone to sort out his relationship with God without you judging it, and you concentrate on your own relationship with God?

You’re in no position to start telling people that God doesn’t care about their group assignments or their troubles. That’s the sort of thing atheists say, not people with Catholic in their username.
God cares about everything to do with us.
He doesn’t just suddenly switch on the care-o-meter when somebody gets cancer.
 
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Sometimes God grants us small things and we are not even paying attention. It is good of your friend to be grateful.
 
Some Jews, particularly those who are Orthodox, write in the corner of all their documents–exams, notes, whatever–three letters which mean “with the help of G-d.” This is to remind them that G-d is present and ready to help them in everything they do.

G-d never takes a break or vacation, and holidays are a double shift.
 
meltzerboy2 said:
Some Jews, particularly those who are Orthodox, write in the corner of all their documents–exams, notes, whatever–three letters which mean “with the help of G-d.” This is to remind them that G-d is present and ready to help them in everything they do.

G-d never takes a break or vacation, and holidays are a double shift.
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This is similar to an old-time Catholic school practice of writing “JMJ” for Jesus, Mary and Joseph on all of one’s school papers, usually in small letters in the corner.
It’s nice to know we have similar customs in common of inviting God into all of our activities.
 
Tis_Bearself said:
old-time Catholic school practice of writing “JMJ” for Jesus, Mary and Joseph on all of one’s school papers, usually in small letters in the corner.
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I thought I remembered doing that, and that it was JMJ, but as my memory isn’t sure I didn’t post it.

Thanks Tis for confirming that for me.
 
It was before my time but I read about it in an old book and thought it was nice.
I will usually write JMJ on my prayer intentions when I’m writing them into an intention book or on a note for a basket.
 
I’m sorry you interpreted my thought as judging my friend. I asked it as I am on a mission to become closer to God and this was a question I had to see if this was an area I can improve my faith
 
I brought this up at my Bible study today, and the sentiment was similar. It is good to invite God into all areas of my life, even the small joys, as all that is good and joyful comes from Him. I guess my issue was more in that it feels like a stretch to believe God actively intervenes in ways like lessening our school work. I don’t know… I do believe I can improve in thanking God always.
 
Your friend might like to check out Brother Lawrence’s Practice of the Presence of God and Fr Jean-Pierre de Caussade’s Abandonment to Divine Providence. (Then he should become Catholic 🙂 )Since God is all in all, our ability to see Him there isn’t so much reading in to reality as giving God credit where it’s due.

I had a friend instruct me, when things like the incident you noted happen, don’t call them “coincidences”. Call them “appointments”, look up, and say, “Thank you!”
 
Examine their theology. Some tend to believe that God is the celestial Answer Man. The good buddy that always comes through. The one Who desires that we are all wealthy and healthy.

Usually not a peep about suffering or its usefulness.
 
My mom would write AMDG (Ad maiorem Dei gloriam) in the pages she worked with, or books she would read , copy books…, letters… this I remember since my childhood…She still does, she is 84 yo.
 
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The faith and personal interactions that Evangelicals have in God is a great thing about them and something Catholics can learn from IMHO.

If you’re really concerned about your friend habitually not doing his school work and just expecting God to bail him out (as opposed to your friend just getting into a stressful or overload situation somehow - it happens - and being glad that God helped him out of a jam this one time) you could say something like, “It’s great that God helped you this time. But remember, God helps those who help themselves and he expects you to do your part to try and get all your work done, too. He might not want to step in every time.”
 
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