God, Give Me a Sign

I know that we aren't really supposed to ask God for signs. That trust thing and all.

But this morning, praying about something that has been on my list for nearly five months, I couldn't help myself.  I said, "God, please give me a sign that you have at least heard my prayer." I then pointed out to God, just in case God had forgotten, that even some of his great saints asked for signs.

I mentioned that Francis of Assisi opened the bible at random three times when he was first discerning his life work, looking for a sign of the path he should follow. And I pointed out that St. Francis Loyola asked for a sign when he was recuperating in the hospital from a war wound.  I even reminded God that I seemed to recall St. Francis Borgia asking for a sign as well.

All I wanted was some sort of sign that my prayer had been heard. I mentioned it would be lovely if I got an answer to this prayer, but I sort of figured that wasn't going to happen.

So I wanted a sign that at least the prayer itself had been heard.

And not one of those "Maybe it was a sign and maybe it wasn't" sort of things.  Like seeing a rainbow or having bird fly by the window.  I wanted someone more than flowers and hearts.

I wanted a sign. A real, honest-to-god sign that God had heard my prayer.

I got nothing. Not even one of those crappy "Could this be a sign or not?" things. So I went to the movie with a friend and forgot about the prayer.

When I got home, I did up the dishes and messed about for awhile. Then I noticed the light blinking on the answering machine. Since 99% of the people who want to talk to me use my cell if I don't answer the landline, I figured it was a sales call.  You know, one of those, "This is Rachel from credit cards services.  There is nothing wrong with your account, but this is your last chance to lower your credit rates" calls that I get despite having put my name on the no-call list.

But something made me stop and listen to it anyway. It was a call from someone I had never in 1000 years expected to hear from on a Sunday afternoon.  I had to listen to the message three times before it sank in...you see, it was the sign that God had been listening to my prayer.

The prayer still isn't answered and I am no closer to knowing when or even if it will be answered.

But at least I know that it's been heard.