Grace (& joy!)

God is full of grace, and I love Him for it. I asked Him to surprise me this year, and He didn't hesitate one moment to bring that about.

After our CLC (Community Life Coordinators) council meeting for everyone in the dorm, Kevin asked if I had a coffee maker. I don't really, but I offered my coffee press, and before I knew it, about 10 people were in my room with coffee mugs. Rebekah brought a second coffeemaker, and the bunch of us enjoyed getting to know each other and drinking coffee. It was completely impromtu, and yet ordained by You-Know-Who (and not Voldemort, either. Ha.) I didn't even have to direct anything or try to "lead" anything--it happened without me. But in my room, with my resources.

I found it encouraging and humbling; knowing that God is moving and that my choice (and essentially, my job as Barnabas) is not to plan things out, but to respond to His spirit's promptings.

All the more reason for Seth and I to read Holy Hunches together, I think. Seems appropriate for this topic.

As I washed people's mugs when they finished drinking their coffee, I shared with Seth how I had prayed for an appropriate room setup. I wanted to be intentional about this and not just do what I liked but what would be effective for my/God's ministry this year. I didn't share this with him because of pride (though I do LOVE how it turned out! It represents me well), but because how blown away I was by God's grace in the matter. I remember coming into my room before touching any furniture, thinking about how to set it up, and then pausing to pray for my room setup and that it would be a welcoming place, and also for the conversations that would happen here and for the people who would come to this place. It's my first day as a "real Barnabas," and by God's grace my room had been set up in a way that invited people in. I don't know whether it was the pictures on the wall, the lights, or the furniture, but God's presence was made real to me tonight. How awkward it was to utter those first words of that seemingly bizaare prayer, and yet how natural it is now to reflect on the power of my request.

God is good. He is faithful. My hope and prayer this year would be that I would find moments that I can point to and really say "God was faithful to me and our dorm there, and there, and there, and there..."

Great is thy faithfulness, Great is thy faithfulness!
Morning by morning new mercies I see!
All I have needed thy hand hath provided
Great is thy faithfulness, Lord, unto me!

Betsy Joy