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Monday, August 26, 2013

8.25.13 Happiness and Joy


Bountiful Blessings

 

August 25, 2013

            I left work on Friday with a smile upon my face. When I got home, I began to tell Jim about my day and it was all sunshine and rainbows. He was a tad bit puzzled. What? No fussing about anything? And the bouncing off the walls - where did that come from? I thought maybe my manic personality was the result of too much coffee and energy drinks. But strangely enough, it was something else, something elusive and rare. I was happy. Yep, you heard me. “Happy. Happy. Happy.”

            Why am I happy? Good question. The joy and excitement of all the new students and all the returning students. My mom and my dad are recovering from health scares (thank you for the prayers).  I am in my first week of graduate school (scary but loving it!)  I wrote a small snippet in the Legacy League newsletter (definitely not a journalist. Maybe editing is more my speed). I was elected to a new office in Eastern Star (terrifying but exciting). I am serving as secretary on the Staff Advisory Council (puts all my note taking to good use). God continues to use me by sharing my failures and my triumphs through Bountiful Blessings (relating common well, struggles). So, once again, why am I happy? Let’s break it down. I saw a sign in a restaurant this weekend. “Do what you love, love what you do”. I have told you before that my spiritual gift is serving others. That makes me happy. I am a servant of God, and I am at my best when serving others. J

(ok, so quick insert here - I cannot tell a lie… there have been times when I was, mmmm, not so happy. I let others’ opinions, perceptions, comments color my world. How dumb am I? There is a difference between a servant of God and a servant of men. I may have been told that I am only a *** and need to know my place. What?! It made me unhappy and ashamed. Well, that is plumb crazy. God gave me a servant’s heart and a serving nature. It does not make me any less than anyone else. It makes me – me. Serving others is an honorable gift from God. All that to say, embrace your happiness and well, phooey on them).

            What makes you happy? What makes me happy would make my brother miserable. Haha. We have completely different ideas of a good time. But that is the way it is supposed to be. We are all meant to be different and unique. Your strengths, your talents, your happiness…. It is all you. You are at your best when following God’s path for you and finding your joy. Seek your path. Look for your happiness. It can be found in the smallest of things. A lazy day with a restful nap. A day rolling around with your grandbabies. Completing a new word search book with perfectly straight lines (haha. That one is for my mama). Working in the garden and appreciation of the end result. A day on the lake with a rod in your hand. A road trip with loud music and the windows down. Creating a new world on the computer. A sweat filled muscle burning workout. Volunteering at your church. Sigh. All of these sound good to me. I can tell when I am in happy mood when I want to try it all! J

            So the next question is big deal, I am happy, so what? Well, here is my thought. God wants us to be happy. When we are happy, others see our joy. When others see our joy, they want to be close to us. They want to know why, what, when and how. We are able to share God’s love through our joy. I mean, c’mon now, when you see a miserable, cranky person, do you really want to listen to anything they have to say? Jim loves me and still tunes me out when I, well, the word is not really appropriate for this newsletter. Happiness and joy are meant to be cherished and shared.

            Joy in life. Joy in the Lord. Do what you love - love what you do.

Prayer for the week:

Dear Lord,

Thank you, Lord, for the many blessings in my life. You have brought me hope and joy. You have shown me happiness and love. Each day that I share with family and friends is a blessing and an opportunity to share your love with others. May I always appreciate the gifts that you have bestowed upon me and may my happiness bleed over onto others. I love you, Lord, with all my heart and soul. In Jesus’s name. Amen.

Bible Verse for the week:

God will yet fill your mouth with laughter and your lips with shouts of joy.                        Job 8:21

Bible Fun for the week:

Celebrations

1.       Fill in the blank: The Lord called his feasts holy _________.

2.       Fill in the blank: The Sabbath was to be a day of __________.

3.       The fourteenth day of the month was a) the Feast of Booths b) the First Gathering c) Passover d) Jubilee.

4.       Choose A or B: During the Passover the Israelites were to do no servile work on a) the 1st and 7th days b) all the days.

5.       True or False: The Israelites could eat neither bread, parched corn (grain) or green corn (grain) until they had brought their offerings of first fruits to the Lord.

6.       What was gleaning?

7.       True or False: The Day of Atonement was celebrated on the tenth day of the tenth month.

 

Until we meet again, my friends. Take care and know that you are always in my thoughts and in my prayers.

Terri

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