Joy Dare 14, 15, & 16

14. 3 ways you glimpsed the startling grace of God.

premise: had a really awful day on wednesday. God really brought such beautiful and tangible comforts in surprising ways:

• Spidermanloverbridesmaid (SLB): randomly texted me asking to hang out. Thank you, MOH, I LOVED hanging out with you and Q-man, and thanks for listening to me share, going shopping with me, eating sweets at Dennys, and comforting me as I ranted. The perfect pick-me-up.

• Songbird posted on my wall, randomly sharing a moment of love and joy. It made me smile so hard. A bright spot in a complicated day.

• A tiny voice in my head (God, is that you??) reminding me that in times of trouble, He is my refuge. And to remember to live in JOY.

15. one thing you wore, one thing you gave away, one thing you shared.

• Wearing warm tights on a cold winter's day. Joy in fashion, yay!

• Giving away my bed to a guest/budding friend. Joy in hospitality and sharing what God has blessed me with! (A good change from my three year old self, who, when my grandmother asked if she could sleep in my bed for a sleepover, told her matter-of-factly that it is MY bed). I really enjoy having people over at my house sometimes

• Shared thoughts and experiences in class today. Thankful God gave me courage to speak up more in class, I really have a hard time with that.

16. 3 ways you witnessed happiness today

• my parents were so happy to see LilBro, who made a surprise trip home

• my professor was really happy to see that everyone in our class liked each other and were nice to each other...apparently, I shouldn't take such niceties for granted! Thankful for kind and thoughtful classmates, good reminder

• it was a really happy after-dinner time catching up with friends and family, I love hearing about people's lives and relaxing with people I haven't seen in a while.