I Used My Most Annoying Trait To Connect With God

It worked

A few years ago, Todd and I were at a wedding reception when I spotted a woman with six-inch-long, hot pink, sparkly fingernails. My brain lit up with questions. I was drawn to her like a toddler to an electrical outlet.

I started with small talk, then launched in:

“How long have your nails been that length?”
“Do they get in your way?”
“Can you type?”

I was just warming up, itching to ask if her manicures cost extra, when Todd gently said, “It was nice meeting you,” and steered me away. His timing was probably a mercy for everyone involved.

That wasn’t the first time my curiosity made a conversation awkward.

A Reporter’s License to Be Nosy

When I worked as a reporter, I could ask anything: “How old are you?” “How much do you make?” “What were you thinking?” If the interviewee seemed annoyed, I blamed my editor (even though I secretly enjoyed it.) After I turned in a story, she’d call with more nosy questions I hadn’t asked, and I’d have to go back and find out.

I may not have an editor anymore, but the mindset stuck.

Curiosity is powerful. It fuels connection, opens understanding, and deepens relationships. I’ve discovered it doesn’t just apply to people. It works with God, too.

The Questions That Sparked Faith

Some of my most meaningful spiritual moments began with questions:

Why did God allow this?
Does He still answer prayers like mine?
Is He really working in my life right now?

I didn’t always ask the right questions, but God used them anyway to guide me deeper.

Scripture is full of curious people. Even Jesus constantly asked questions. He wanted to know what people were thinking. A few other examples include:
—Moses went over to examine a strange sight—a burning bush that did not burn up (Exodus 3:3).
—When the angel told Mary she would give birth to the Messiah, she asked, “How can this be?” (Luke 1:34).
—Thomas doubted, and Jesus said, “Touch the wounds” (John 20:24-27).
—The Bereans searched the Scriptures daily and were praised for their eagerness and nobility. They wanted to see if what Paul said was true (Acts 17:11).

None of them were scolded for wondering. They were drawn closer.

Prayer Has Always Been a Struggle

I’ve been trying to draw closer, too, primarily through prayer. But prayer has never come easily to me.

Todd says he must pray. I want that, but I’m not there yet. I’ve shared before that typing my prayers has helped over the years, but lately, even that has felt stale.

Recently, during an online creativity workshop, we were asked to explore our fears and curiosities and to notice how we felt as we wrote. When I listed my fears, I tensed up. But when I wrote about what piqued my curiosity, I relaxed. I even felt a joyful sense of anticipation.

An Unexpected Shift

That was an eye-opener.

I’ve prayed through extreme difficulties, pouring out my worries. But often, it made me more anxious and overwhelmed. Paul wrote, "Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus" (Philippians 4:6-7, NIV).

I tried adding more gratitude to my prayers, which helped temporarily, but peace still felt out of reach.

Then I thought: What if I brought my curiosity into prayer?

Praying Through Wonder

So, I started telling God what I was curious about each day, what I hoped to learn, discover, or notice. Some days it was deep and theological. Most days it wasn’t.

But the words began to flow again. I felt closer to God, not because I became more disciplined, but because I became more myself.

At first, I thought this was just another form of gratitude, but it was more than that. It was a shift in mindset. I was using the way God wired me to connect with Him.

Using Your Gifts to Draw Near

When our church did a spiritual gifts assessment, I thought of those gifts only as ways to serve others. I never thought of applying them to my relationship with God.

But now I see it. God gave me curiosity. Why wouldn’t He use that to draw me closer?

Some people thrive with structure. They love the ACTS method (adoration, confession, thanksgiving, supplication). I’ve tried. But eventually, it became a checklist, not a connection.

We’re not all wired the same, and that’s the beauty of it. God invites us to approach Him through the gifts He’s given us.

Some of us pray best with music, others with silence, some through Scripture, others through nature. Some need a journal, some need a long walk, and many need to try something new.

Come As You Are, Curious and All

God isn’t grading our prayers. He’s just inviting us to come closer.

And the way we come closer might surprise us.

For me, it started with questions, and not always the right ones. But God met me there anyway. He used the curiosity He placed in me to open a door I didn’t know was closed.

If prayer feels rigid or hollow, maybe it’s time to stop striving and start exploring. Ask questions. Follow our wonder. Bring our whole, unfiltered self—quirks, doubts, and six-inch nail-level curiosity—into the presence of God.

He’s not bothered by our questions, but is waiting for them.