I remember going to India during Christmas as a child.  I was very, very young and remember very little about the trip, but I do remember this simple Christmas decoration.  It was a paper lantern in the shape of a star.  The star was perforated so that you could place a light inside that would shine through the small openings. To my young eyes, those stars shined like beacons in the dark.  It was like a warm, ‘welcome home’ sign.

Last year, as we were decorating for Christmas, I mentioned to my husband how much I would love to have some of those stars for our home. It was the first time that I had ever talked about it, and I just said it in passing.  We drove up to Oklahoma City a few days later to visit friends. As we admired the way their home was decorated for Christmas,  we started talking about the same stars. I told them how I wanted some to decorate our home for Christmas.  As we talked about Christmas and decorations, the conversation began to morph into how God cares for even our littlest desires.

From Oklahoma City, we drove up to Branson. We saw a play and after it was over, we wandered into the gift shop of the theater.  They had a variety of merchandise from logoed sweatshirts to beautiful Christmas items.  In the very back of the store, I saw something glowing. I was drawn to it and as I got closer, I could see that it was a paper star with a light inside of it. They were selling them in the gift shop.   I was so excited.  It was brightly colored with a beautiful paisley pattern on it- much fancier than the ones that I remembered from India.  I grabbed it and ran over to the rest of my family.  I couldn’t believe that I had actually found one.

Have you ever had that moment where you actually knew that God heard you? That was one of them for me.  Its overwhelming when God answers the smallest little thought that you put out there.  I didn’t pray for it. I never fasted about it.  I didn’t name it and claim it.  I just said that I would like to have it.  And now it’s hanging in my entry way with four others! (The four others actually came from India. By the way, the one that I bought in Branson was made in India as well!)

Psalms 37:4 tells us to delight in the Lord and He will give you the desires of your heart.

I just want to encourage you that He is listening. He hears you.  Whatever your desire is, big or small, He can make it happen.

~Shiney