Happy is a State of Mind

Are you happy? Are you happy in your work, in your marriage and relationships? Are you happy with your kids? Are you happy with your home, the car you drive? Are you happy with yourself, your body or your hair? The list goes on and on, so many possibilities for happiness . . . or so it seems. Happiness can be wrapped up in what we have or don't have; it can be based on certain circumstances, and often can be an easy excuse for us when we want out of situations. All we need to say is that we weren't happy, and that seems to give us reassurance with our choice to quit, divorce, move on, or make a drastic change.

Sometimes, no matter what I do or try to do, happiness can elude me, and others may never be happy with all I've attempted to do. I discover I have no power or control over happiness. It really is just a fleeting feeling. It's like peering out my window at the majestic winter scene. The clouds are thick but breaking, there is a bit of sunshine piercing through, the mountains all have fresh snow, and the ground is soaked with rain. Within the middle of that scene is the most beautiful rainbow, but only for a moment is it able to capture the sky. That's like happiness, it is that momentary bright spot in my life. But rather than chasing rainbows all day, I need to be content with the whole picture. Content with the storms I'll face in life, as well as the bright sunny days; I need to be content with ever changing winds and clouds. Happy is a state of mind, a choice I make to live. . .

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But . . .

I had to pause for a moment, as I began reading the text this early morning. But they, our fathers, acted arrogantly: they became stubborn and would not listen to Thy commandments." (Nehemiah 9:18). How often do I find myself verbalizing "but? what about? what then? what if? really?" All the phrases that feed doubt and angst into my life are found in that one conjunction. Memory stands as the faithful argument against it, but when faced with future days all seems easily forgotten. This verse comes to a people who had returned to their homeland after being ravaged and exiled by foreign powers. Nehemiah is reminding them of who they are, and especially of their one and only God who has forever been faithful to them despite their faithlessness and wrongdoing. He reminds them how God is a God of forgiveness, slow to anger, longsuffering, overflowing with lovingkindness, never forsaking them even when He was totally forgott...

Summer Breeze

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Brief Moments of Grace

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Mary's Heartbeats

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