Happiness

Happiness is not having what you want, but wanting what you have.  I heard that first in a sermon many years ago, but I have heard it many places since.  I think about it frequently, especially when there are things I want... which is the perfect time to think about it.  Then I start thinking to myself, "What do I really want?"  There are many material things, but I won't bother to mention them.  These things may make life more comfortable or interesting or easy. They may even improve my intelligence or knowledge.  They may be advantageous to our children's education.  They may increase my productivity.  But, the fact is, we don't have these material things now and my thinking about them or how to get them does certainly not increase my happiness.  We are obviously living just fine without them.  We are all healthy, and learning new things everyday.  I feel much more happy and peaceful when I think about the things we do have and apply myself in being grateful for them. I cannot deny that we have incredible children, healthy, smart, loving.  Our feelings for our home are our choice, there are good and bad things about any home, but ours has so many things we never thought we would have: hardwood floors, a basement with a bike room, a garage, beautiful large trees in a courtyard visible from every window more than half of which face south and fill our home with light. Best of all, we have knowledge of our Creator and His love encompasses our every experience. If we will only trust that He has our best interest in everything He brings into our life. It is difficult to believe that an Almighty Sovereign God who created the universe is interested in all the little, seemingly trivial things in our lives. There are so many lives out there, it is impossible to imagine God being able to know the number of hairs on every one of those heads. Yet, we must believe that He does. I must believe that God cares what we feed our children, what books we have them read, what clothes we choose to buy. I must believe that he sees when I can't sleep at night, when the children get a scratch, when I feel confused about which task is more important to accomplish. I know that He wants me to trust Him in all things. And I will. I will be happy with all the things he has given and the place in which I live and the people with whom I have contact. I will think of His ways when I think, speak and act.  At least, I will try, I will ask Him to help me to succeed. I will long to glorify Him in my life. I will long to touch others with His love. And if I can succeed in letting go of my wants then I know He will fill my heart, my life, with a joy and peace that is happiness.

I know that it is easy for me to say these things, we have a home, income, family. There are many who have none of these things. Many who are hungry, cold and lonely. Yet, God can bring them happiness just as He brings it to me. It is His way. It is His power. It is His truth.