Many Pearls: Finding beauty and value in the everyday: Joy And Footwear

People change. That's simply a fact of life. I'm a smart girl, I know that I'm continually growing and changing. That God is working in me, smoothing out the rough edges and he's placed people in my life that do that whole "iron sharpens iron" thing. Sometimes you don't realize how much you've changed until someone you haven't seen in a while comments about it or it's brought to your attention in some other way.

After living in Chicago for a few years I went back to Idaho for SiFri's wedding. There, I ran into a couple who had known me as their barista at Sbux, and as an acquaintance to their daughters. At the wedding they both approached me and commented on how happy I seemed. They explained that even though I had always smiled and never said anything to them about being miserable, they could tell just by looking at me that things were not ok. This sweet couple said they'd prayed for me, that I would find joy. And they felt their prayers had been answered these years later because just one look at me assured them that something had drastically changed and happiness was part of my life.

Whoa!

I had no idea they had been praying for me. I had no idea they could tell something wasn't right. I didn't even know I wasn't happy back then. That little 2 minute conversation gave me some perspective and allowed me to see just how much had changed in my life.

To be completely honest...I was going through a rough time and was not feeling happy at all when they approached me at the wedding. Life was hard and things were not going as planned, my heart was in shreds and I felt lost. But they were right...I'd found joy. Different than happiness, joy goes beyond circumstances. It's the foundational belief that God is who He says He is and you are who He says you are. No matter what's going on in your life, you are a child of the One True King. He has plans for you and will never leave you or forsake you. These are BIG things. And they don't disappear. Ever. Knowing that, believing it and living it...that's joy.

Sometimes things aren't as profound.

Like this weekend when I got dressed for my friend's baby shower...

Traditionally I'm a casual/sporty dresser. I've adopted the term athleisure actually. In high school I wore XL t-shirts and jeans. Mind you, I was a good 30 lbs lighter in high school and I only wear medium shirts now...what was I thinking?!?! I don't do flashy or loud prints, bright colors or trends...I'm a basics kind of girl. I'm also about comfortable footwear and because my feet are narrow and I have foot issues, I usually rock running shoes, flip flops or flat boots...because all those things feel like slippers on my feet but look a littler nicer. My general goal is to leave the house feeling like I'm wearing pajamas but not looking like it.

Here I was getting dressed for the baby shower and I found myself asking a question I never thought I'd utter...the brown boots over skinny jeans or the animal print ballet flats?

I went with the ballet flats.

Huh?!

What?!

Who am I???

I know this is normal for a lot of women, but this is not the Linsey I've always been. And you know what, I'm ok with that.

Should I also tell you that I wore a statement necklace too? Gasp!