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A few months ago I spoke to a parish’s women’s group. The women’s Walking with Purpose Bible Study hosted a Prayer Wine Chocolate night and invited me to give a talk about prayer and prayer journaling.
The first story I told was the Spiritual Adoption Miracle story I often share. In the beginning of that story I describe how one day I recall walking up the steps with a laundry basket and wondering,
“do my prayers for women considering abortion even matter? I mean, obviously I don’t love these women as much as God does . . .”
That experience resonated with one of the women attending the event. She had a similar experience years before and as the night was wrapping up, she came over and shared her experience with me.
Ever since I heard this woman’s story I have been thinking – other people need to hear this story!
Does God hear all the details of our prayers?
Have you ever wondered if God hears or cares about all the little things you ask for in prayer?
This woman, we’ll call her Eileen, described how there was a period in her life when she wondered if God heard all the details of her prayers.
She told me that she thought, “maybe God just listens to the big picture, but the little details are not what He is concerned with . . .“
Then, she shared this experience:
Eileen frequently commuted to work on the train and she would often pray the Rosary on her morning commute.
She didn’t mind holding a Rosary or being seen praying in front of total strangers, however, she was very self-conscious about one thing – her eyebrow.
Eileen may have explained to me why one of her eyebrows, in her mind, looked funny – however, I can not remember the details and I also don’t remember noticing anything odd about her face at all!
BUT, because this was something that bothered her, she would use eyeliner on her brows EVERY SINGLE DAY to disguise her flaw.
One morning, she was either in a rush or didn’t have eyeliner.
She realized on the train that she did not “fix” her eyebrow that morning. So, as she was praying the Rosary – and wondering if maybe God did not hear the full details of her heart – she held her Rosary in a way that she could cover her eyebrow with her thumb.
So, that morning on the train she held her Rosary in a way where she could also cover her eyebrow.
She demonstrated this to me with her hand and how she had slumped her head over in a way that maybe it looked natural to the other people on the train.
Almost immediately after getting off the train, she looked down and in a pile of leaves she saw what looked like an unopened eyeliner package.
She stood in disbelief for a moment and thought -God, if this is the color that I use every day, I know that you hear the details of my prayers now.
Shen bent over, uncovered the unopened make-up container and there it was . . . dark brown eye liner – unopened.
Now, she was not praying to find eye-liner – her prayers were much deeper; more emotional, complicated and weaved with sorrow and hope.
But as she was praying about these things, she was also thinking – I need to hide my eyebrow.
God hears it all. The big and the little.
I was so moved by this story she shared. Personally, I look at my life and see that even my unspoken, most private prayers have been heard by God. Details I never spoke to anyone about were wrapped up in big intentions.
The same is true for you and I.
Does God think my prayers are silly?
God hears all that is in our heart.
After hearing this story, I saw this quote shared by a friend on Facebook:
“Our God delights in stooping down to converse with us, and He rejoices when we make known to Him our most trivial everyday affairs.”
Saint Alphonsus Liguori
I had never read or heard that Saint quote before . . . but when I read it, I had been thinking for at least a month about that woman and her eyeliner story. I thought, it’s such a great witness and inspiring way to let others know that we should go to God about everything!
It is so reassuring to know that even what we might think is “little” or “trivial” God delights in and cares about.
Does God hate makeup?
No! But that doesn’t mean he thinks you need to wear it!
God loves you. He cares about what is on your mind and heart. He wants to you to know and feel His love.
And in this time between hearing this story and writing this post, I came across this incredible shirt!
Created Beautiful {but makeup is fun} shirt by Pink Salt Riot.
I love this shirt and think it would such a great gift for a teenage girl! Use coupon code CATHOLICSSAVE and get 10% off!
Why does God care about make-up?
It’s not the make-up He really cares about – what he cares about is you! I often quote Saint Teresa of Avila because she is credited with saying, “You pay God a compliment when you ask big things of Him”. I believe that to be true – but it’s also important for us to know and remember that He knows every hair on our head, and he cares about all that is on our heart and mind.
Give it to Him – all of it.
May the Lord Bless You Abundantly!
<3 Amy
P.S. Want to host a Prayer Wine Chocolate Event?
Here’s a guide to show you how!
Joy says
I love this article! It is a great reminder that God does stoop to hear our heart ❤️
Amy says
I’m so glad you enjoyed reading it! Thank you <3
Victoria says
So many smiles reading this post! It is amazing how, even in human relationships, we feel seen when someone remembers a small detail we have shared. I love the quote on the shirt: Made beautiful but make up is fun!
Amy says
I’m smiling now!!! That shirt is so fun, right!!?
Michelle says
I got goosebumps reading that story! Such a great article Amy!