This post contains affiliate or associate links with several businesses (which means if you shop through the links, I earn a small commission). As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.

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!

The post God and Make-Up: Sometimes Miracles Involve Eyeliner appeared first on Prayer Wine Chocolate.

This post contains affiliate or associate links with several businesses (which means if you shop through the links, I earn a small commission). As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.

I love buying and giving gifts at Christmas – but, I also love receiving them!
I wanted to share with you what is on my wish list this year!

I have to be honest, this year I don’t want a whole lot because I’m dreaming of a new home. We are feeling crowded in this one and I keep thinking, “in my next house I would love to have . . .”

So, I will share some of those ideas here too.

(I share some favorites on this post too: Spiritual Stocking Stuffers: Catholic Edition definitely check that out!!)

My Catholic Christmas Wish List

Another Catholic Mother’s Planner!

I have been using the Catholic Mother’s Planner all year and I love it! It hasn’t fallen apart like others I have purchased in the past and it is filled with prayers and quotes that really inspire me.

I’d love to use one of these again!

Gifts for the Home

A Visual Grace Face of Jesus Rosary Holder

I love this artist and her depiction of the Face of Jesus.

I also love that she put this art work on a Rosary hanger!

I wrote another post recently titled Catholic Home Goods that are Beautiful, check that out for more home decor!

Gifts for the Homebody in Me

Warm and cozy slippers (I have officially become my mother)

We used to make fun of my mom for asking for slippers every year. Now I totally get it.

I have told my husband that I want slippers several times already!

I LOVE comfortable clothing! New pajamas (love Simply Vera brand and Lauren Conrad sold at Kohl’s).

Love super soft socks and throw blankets, mugs that have prayers on them and hold at least 15 oz. of coffee! I have some listed in my Spiritual Stocking Stuffer post!

Clothes and Fashion

Confession, I sometimes indulge in a Stitch Fix!

I love the idea that a stylist is picking out clothes for me – and that she even looks at what I Pinned on Pinterest to see what I like and what I want in my wardrobe.

I would love a gift card for Stitch Fix for Christmas (and great news, if you sign up – I get $25 shopping credit to use and YOU GET $25 CREDIT TOO!!!)

Want to try it? Yes, sign up for a Stitch Fix!!!

I also saw a cute sweater that was on Annie Dedden’s gift guide this year (Catholic Wife, Catholic Life). I never knew there was something called a “Funnel neck” sweater. I love it. I’ll take one in light grey or navy please lol!

This year I discovered back pack purses. I love them because they don’t slide off my arms and make it so much easier to help my children. I bought one but the strap broke :(. Would love another and maybe a new wallet to match.

This one from Macy’s is super cute!

Catholic Jewelry

I love Telos Design. I think it would be lovely to receive a Trove Box or even a subscription box from this awesome shop!

A new jewelry box

This wooden jewelry box I found on Etsy looks like a great one. Now that I found a love for earrings and Miraculous Medal necklaces, I need an upgrade from the one I got over 20 years ago!

Honestly, I LOVE earrings and Miraculous Medal necklaces (small, dainty and simple).

Beauty and Accessories

New Curling Iron- I’ve asked hair dressers for recommendations and the two that were recommended were the BaByliss and Hot Tools

Honestly, fill a stocking for me – put in a zipper pouch from Meadowcress boutique, lip gloss, stickers from Just Love Prints, MrsTorrescreates, phone accessories from Pink Salt Riot, socks from Sock Religious and whatever I put on this list you can fit in there! Hey, it’s a wish list right?

Gift Cards

Gift Card to a Hair Dresser – one of my favorite guilty pleasures is getting my hair blow dried and curled by someone else.

Gift cards to a Hair Salon, Target, Kohl’s, TJ Maxx, Home Goods, Hobby Lobby, Ulta . . . are great ideas

I’d love a gift card to Corda Candles since they are sold out for the year!

Want more gift ideas? Check out Spiritual Stocking Stuffers: Christmas Edition; Award Winning Catholic Gifts AND The Ultimate Catholic Gift Guide (free download)!

And Have a very Merry Christmas!

The post A Catholic Woman’s Christmas Wish List appeared first on Prayer Wine Chocolate.