Gym time! I hopped on the StairMaster and pounded the steps, determined to work off my stress. As a sales rep, I was pulling long, demanding hours to finish up a huge year-end project. The pressure was on. I’d never felt so in over my head! I talked to God about it, but it seemed like the more exhausted I was, the farther away he felt. Was he even listening?
Just then, a friend’s advice came to mind: “You, know, Shannon,” she’d said, “If you’re in need of God’s assurance, you can ask him for a sign that he’s with you.” Can’t hurt, I thought. I knew what I wanted to ask for.
Lord, if you’re listening, I prayed in between steps, I’d like to see a feather by the time I get home tonight. I’ve always loved feathers. There’s just something so exquisite, so delicate about them. Something that inexplicably brings me comfort.
After my workout, I headed to my car and scanned the ground for a feather. Nothing. I drove up to my condo, parked, and walked across the grass. Wait! What was that? It looked like a feather was on the ground up ahead. I ran over–but no luck. Just a feather-like leaf. By the time I’d reached my door my hopes were all but dashed. I looked, one last time, around a big evergreen tree. Nothing there either. Maybe this whole sign thing was silly.
“Okay, Lord,” I said, “I don’t need you to send me a sign. Even without a feather, I know you’re always with me.”
Inside, a box was sitting on the table—a birthday present from my best friend. Well, if I didn’t find a feather at least I had a gift to open.
I tore off the paper and burst into tears. There, in my hands, was a beautiful Native American dream catcher…a dream catcher covered in soft, fluffy feathers. God was listening. I didn’t have to wonder anymore.
